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Gospel: Luke 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Most miracles Jesus performs are for a stranger’s good. He grants a blind man his sight; heals a leper’s wounds; forgives someone their sins. These miracles are frequently in response to a person’s faith.
But today’s miracle – bringing a dead son back to life – is different.
It was far more personal for Jesus; it struck a particular chord in his heart. Jesus must’ve seen his own body tucked inside that coffin … and the inexhaustible grief of Mary, his mother, buried in that widowed mother’s face.
Soon enough, Jesus knows, he will be the one being carried in procession to a grave.
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Thus, this miracle is not only for the sake of the boy and his mother, but also for the consolation of Mary. As the Gospel tells us, when Jesus saw this boy’s mother, “he was moved with pity for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’”
Stepping forward, he touches the coffin, and says, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
Suddenly, everyone’s grief is turned into astounding joy.
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How we wish the Lord would be moved with pity at the sight of every funeral procession, certainly ones for children.
But keep in mind, this miracle was performed before the resurrection; before Jesus conquered death forever; before the gates of heaven were opened to humanity.
Christians are called to be forward thinking; to celebrate not just a return to physical life, but also the promise of eternal life. As Saint Paul says, “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
May the same Spirit who brought Jesus to life raise us all again.
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Image credits: (1) Messages of Christ, The Widow of Nain, YouTube (2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (3) The Gospel Coalition