Gospel Reading: Lk 7:11-17
JESUS journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Reflections: He was moved with pity
Jesus is moved with pity at the sight of a funeral procession leaving the city of Nain. He has compassion on the mother who is burying her only son. Hardship awaits her, for she is a widow who has lost her only means of support. Without help from others, she will not survive.
To reverse her situation, Jesus steps forward, touches the coffin, and commands the dead man to rise. The young man comes back to life. Jesus gives him back to his mother.
The people who witness the miracle glorify God. They cannot hold back their immediate conclusion: Jesus is God’s prophet. Through him, God has visited his people. Luke picks up Zechariah’s Canticle where it says, “[God] has visited… his people” (1:68). The people recognize God’s intervention in their lives.
When a child dies, we grieve. We sympathize with the bereaved parents. When a parent dies, we also grieve. We pity the children for their great loss.
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As Christians, we are in solidarity with those who have lost a loved one in death. Our presence expresses our compassion in their moments of bereavement.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS,” 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
