Lent 4: Jesus wept - the call to passion

Phil Medley, one of the Pastoral Assistants at St Matthews, gave this considered and heart-felt address to the Moot Community in an alt.Eucharist service drawing on John's gospel narrative of the raising of Lazarus. In it, Phil explores the importance of emotional intelligence - or being real, and following Christ as he was fully human and emotional. Phil challenges us follow this Jesus who does not hide from our emotions and the suffering of the world, but who beckons us to follow him to find liberation and love. And Jesus was disturbed by the crying of Mary & Martha and the Jews that followed them ... And Jesus wept ... So Jesus stood before the tomb ... And said ... Lazarus come out ... And said ... loosen the bands that bind him.