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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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Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Monica, the patroness of mothers, married women, and alcoholics.
Hers was a difficult life, sustained by faith and grace. Like many parents today, Monica’s greatest cross was the wellbeing of her child, Augustine, who was a wayward youth.
Although he was immensely gifted, Augustine first used his gifts to better himself. Spiritually, he was dead like the son in today’s Gospel.
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For 17 years, Monica prayed for Augustine’s conversion. I’m sure she shed enough tears to fill the sea, storming heaven in prayer day after day, night after night.
But she never gave up. Love never does.
Thankfully, her prayers were answered.
Augustine not only became Catholic; he was also ordained a priest and later a bishop. Finally putting his gifts at the service of the Church, he became one of the most influential thinkers the Church has ever known.
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On her deathbed, Monica asked Augustine for one thing: “That you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.”
That’s something each of us can do for our loved ones, especially those who struggle in any way – with faith, temptation, or any particular cross.
We remember them at the altar of the Lord, trusting that, through Monica’s intercession, our prayers will also be answered, even years from now.
Saint Monica, pray for us.
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Image credits: (1) Pastor Charles Finny, WordPress (2) The Raising of the Widows Son in Nain, Jan Verhas, 1860 (3) Womenofgrace.com