Woman, Why are you crying?

We are on the Eastertide and meditating on our experiences of the Risen Lord. One poignant experience that we draw strength from is that or Mary Magdalene.

The Magdalene stood by the tomb grief struck. Jesus on whom she had put lot of hopes as the redeemer was brutally crucified, and all the trauma of that gruesome act was brewing within her. The shock she had when she realized that the body of Jesus was not in the grave shattered all hope- if at all any was left in her. However, unlike other disciples she refused to go home. The angels in the tomb clearly gave her the message that Jesus was risen but she could not comprehend the essence of the same. She hung around the grave and it is then that Jesus comes by with this question- Woman why are you crying?

We, as the Church, are called to be the witnesses of the Risen Lord and therefore should always be sensitive to the tears of the other. The question “Why are you crying?” should define the missional engagement of the Church. It should lead to deeper search on the systemic issues that cause tears and meaningful involvement not only to wipe tears but to address the reasons for the same.

Pastoral Care is basically about crying with the crying. We should be able to “see” the tears in the pews, porticos and public squares and meaningfully engage with the pain of the people.

Tears reflect the Pain Within

Tears reflect physical, emotional and mental pain. It encapsulates the agony, trauma, anguish, anxiety and fear within a person. It expresses honest humanity before God and before others. It reveals the vulnerability and brokenness of a person. Tears are the silent language of grief. It reflects a sense of deep loss. Like heavy clouds in the sky sometimes heavy hearts are best relieved by letting off a little water. The call of the church is to meaningfully engage with the tears of the people.

Tears can be pathways for new vision

Mary’s tears are seen and honored by Jesus. It was understood as the sincere expression of love. Evident at the encounter by the grave is incarnational love. Love that enters our reality and our spaces and becomes present in our pain. Tears testify the power of love and not necessarily despair. In Mary’s case love endures even in the face of total defeat. It turns out to be redemptive love, sacrificial love and missional love. It is love that weeps, that is faithful, breaks barriers and reshapes identity. Tears are words that the heart cannot express and the church is called to listen to those words with compassion and understanding, not with the ears by with the heart.

Tears prepares us for greater spiritual encounters

Mary stands by the tomb broken, marginalized, traumatized, lost and clueless but the encounter with Jesus gives her new beginnings, new hope, new sense of sanctification and a new sense of identity. She encounters the risen Lord and is the first one to go forth and proclaim that I have seen the risen Lord. The first nation people claim that the soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears. Genuine spiritual experiences are marked by the presence of tears in most cases.

Tears can be prayers beyond words

There is a deep sense of vulnerability that tears embody. It is the souls outpouring that reaches the Divine. Unlike liturgies that are scripted tears arise spontaneously thus ensuring the purest form of communication. Emotions connect with the sacred in prayer. It carries unspoken hopes, grief and longing. It is the soul’s way of interceding beyond the limitations of language, cultures, rites and rituals. Mary in this particular case becomes vocal only after Jesus encounters her tears and that encounter turns out to be a transformational encounter for her.

Tears are purgatory- it cleanses

Tears of repentance leads to a rebuilding of lost connect with the divine. Tears are often associated with repentance and inner cleansing. The reflect the deep transformation within a person. It opens the heart to healing and grace.  Tears are often referred to as God’s gifts. They are like a holy river that cleanses and heals as they flow. Like Aesop it washes clean, its makes a new beginning possible. Mary’s encounter with Jesus was profoundly transformational.

Tears are expressive

It expresses love, longing for presence, compassion, gratitude, intercession, surrender and a desire for deeper communion. Tears transcend cultural and linguistic barriers making them a universal mode of expression with the Almighty. The person connects with the cosmic, resonates with others and with the greater energy and power that sustains.

The call to each of us therefore is to understand the question of the Risen Lord- Woman, Why are you crying? as foundational to the Christian witness to which we are called. It is the hallmark of true discipleship. It is the essence that makes our presence fragrant.

Vinod Victor

May 2025