And Jesus Wept

As we left the area of the 903 gate, we saw this other memorial.

It is not officially part of the OKC Bombing Memorial, but is a memorial built by a nearby Catholic Church, which basically was destroyed in the bombing. By the way, there is a second church over by the 901 gate.

Here is the official description of the significance of the memorial.

Saint Joseph Old Cathedral, the oldest parish in Oklahoma City, was significantly damaged during the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah building, and the Parish House for the church was demolished at that time. The Church has erected a memorial on this site. Several steps lead up to the statue. A black granite wall to the west has niches in it for prayer candles, representing the 168 victims. Standing on the steps at various heights are black granite pillars. The significance of these is not "officially" stated but many believe they represent the 19 children killed in the bombing.

The statue of Jesus stands on a black granite base about 18 inches high. Atop this is a stone base about 8 inches high. A white stone statue of Jesus, with His head bowed, stands with His back to the memorial, and His right hand over his face. The words "And Jesus Wept" are engraved on the granite base. The statue was erected by the Church and dedicated on the third anniversary of the bombing.

An inscription reads: "AND JESUS WEPT / John 11 / On April 19, 1995 at 9:02AM, a bomb exploded just a few hundred feet east of here. In that instant and the ensuing calamity, 168 people were known to be killed. Devastation covered this area. The parish house which stood on this corner was demolished and Saint Joseph Old Cathedral was severely damaged.

In the Sacred Scriptures, Jesus is seen as weeping over Jerusalem, soon to be destroyed. He wept for those whose lives would be lost. In the shortest verse of the Bible, Jesus weeps over the death of his friend Lazarus. Here we depict that same Jesus weeping and turning away from the bombing destruction. He stands facing the niches in our granite wall that represent each of the victims of the bombing.

Yes, the watchful eye of God is always on His People. The compassion of Christ is always waiting for His people. These were His people who died in the bombing but now can live with Him who said "I am the resurrection. I am the Life. Whoever believes in Me, even if he die, will live forever." We believe in Jesus and trust that His merciful grace has brought our brothers and sisters, victims of this tragedy, to life everlasting.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen." [Signed: Eusebius J. Beltran]

"Dedicated April 19, 1998 / Most Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran / Archbishop of Oklahoma City / Reverend Louis J. Lamb / Pastor of Saint Joseph Old Cathedral / Design: David Meyer and Meyer Architects / Construction: Nachert Constructors, Inc."