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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. Monica’s husband was a serially unfaithful drunkard, whose wayward life rubbed off on their children.
We know the story of one of her children, in particular, Augustine of Hippo.
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Like his father, Augustine was a restless youth who caused his mother to worry constantly. Although he was immensely talented, he first used his gifts to better himself.
For 17 years, Monica prayed for her son’s conversion. I’m sure she shed enough tears to fill the ocean, storming heaven in prayer day after day, night after night. Fortunately, she never gave up.
Love never does.
At last, Monica’s prayers were answered. Augustine not only converted to Catholicism; he was also ordained a priest and a bishop. Finally putting his gifts in service to the Church, he became one of the greatest thinkers the Church has ever known.
Later writing about his experience, Augustine likened himself to the widow’s son in today’s Gospel who once was dead, but found new life in Christ.
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On her own deathbed, Monica asked Augustine for one thing only: “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 – certainly with addiction or waywardness of any kind.
We remember them at the altar of the Lord, trusting that, through Monica’s intercession, our prayers will be answered, even if it’s years from now.
Saint Monica, pray for us.
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Image credits: (1) Saint Monica Praying for Saint Augustine, etsy.com (2) DivineRenovation.org (3) narodnatribuna.info