Luke 7:11-17

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a

Psalm 10:1b-2, 3, 4, 5

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have visited your people and continue to visit your people. You call me to eternal communion with you and will raise me up through your Son. I praise and glorify you for who you are and thank you for all you have done for me.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Tears Move Jesus’ Heart: Jesus is the Lord of life. His miracle today recalls those of Elijah and Elisha: Elijah raised the only son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24) and Elisha raised the only son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:31-17). During his ministry, we know that Jesus restored the dead to life at least three times. On the Sea of Galilee, he raised the daughter of Jairus (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43); in Nain, he raised, the widow’s son; and in Bethany, he restored his friend Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, to life (John 11:11-44). Jesus was moved to act by Jairus’ faith and was moved to pity by the widow's tears; again, he was moved to act by Martha’s faith and moved in the spirit by Mary’s tears. Saint Ambrose compares the widow’s tears to those of the Church, who weeps for her sons and daughters who are dead because of their sin. Mother Church does not abandon her children, but rather intercedes for them and this moves Jesus’ heart. Just as he told Jairus not to fear (Mark 5:36), Jesus tells the widow not to weep, for her only son will live.

2. Healings Manifest the Kingdom of God: Through his works, signs, and miracles, Jesus manifests that the Kingdom of God is present in him. These mighty deeds attest that he is the promised Messiah and that God the Father has sent him. The deeds also invite belief in him and strengthen faith in him. “By freeing some individuals from the earthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness, and death, Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless, he did not come to abolish all evils here below, but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin, which thwarts them in their vocation as God’s sons and causes all forms of human bondage” (CCC, 549).

3. Unity and Diversity in the Church: In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul teaches us that the Church is one body, the Body of Christ. Like the members of the human body, we, as members of the Church, work together and bring different talents and gifts to the table. The unity of the Church is not uniformity, but harmony. Some members of the Church are like the Apostles, who stay close to Christ and are sent out with authority. Others are like the prophets, who communicate God’s word to the people. Others are teachers who have the ability to instruct others in the faith. There are also those who have charismatic gifts of healing, speaking in tongues, and interpreting what is said. While these gifts are good, Paul encourages all Christians to strive for and desire the higher, spiritual gifts of faith, hope, and love. Jesus, we saw, was moved to work mighty deeds for his people by faith and love. He is moved to heal us when we turn to him in faith, when we place our hope in him, and when we love him above all things. What is my role in the Mystical Body of Christ?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I contemplate today the great sign of restoring the widow’s son to life. You have restored me from death to new life through Baptism and granted me the grace of eternal life. Raise me up on the last day to enjoy your eternal presence.

Living the Word of God: How am I promoting unity in my local church? Have I truly placed my gifts and talents at the service of the Church and the Kingdom of God? What can I do better to serve and be a source of unity?