The intention to comfort Jerusalem by pointing to similar sufferings that others have had to bear cannot be carried out. Why not? The size of Jerusalem's breach exceeds any other, which is as wide as the sea.1 The sea was a symbol for what was inconceivably immense, agitated, threatening, and bringing infinite separation. Apart from the vastness of her ruin, it may be also as great as that which the fury of the sea might inflict. Like the repeated and relentless action of the sea, Jerusalem’s unbounded affliction cannot be healed.2
13 Que dois-je te dire? à quoi te comparer, fille de Jérusalem? Qui trouver de semblable à toi, et quelle consolation te donner, Vierge, fille de Sion? Car ta plaie est grande comme la mer: Qui pourra te guérir?