Today’s Gospel reading is a tough one to swallow. It describes the return to life of the Son of Nain. The scene opens with a burial group carrying the only son of Nain (a biblical town) out to the graveyard. He is the only son of the lady in the story, who is a widow. Jesus commands the son to get out of the casket, and he does! He tells the mom not to weep.
Back in the day, widows did not get much help from anyone. Their only income and support came from family or a spouse, or sons of family members…like one’s own son. The lady in the story has lost her husband (primary wage earner, we are led to believe) and now her only son, her last hope for support.
Jesus arrives to help, and he brings the boy back to life; he pops open the casket as commanded and stands up, to everyone’s amazement.
Help
What outstanding compassion by Jesus, and it sheds light on another resurrection that we know about: Jesus.’ He too was an only son, and his earthly Dad (Joseph), was also deceased. Note how the mother (in Nain) and Mary (our mother) get help. The mother gets her son back, and Mary will be taken care of by John.
Plenty of compassion surrounding this story. The son rises from the dead, just like Jesus will. The mothers desperately needed help.
What can you do today to be compassionate? Probably will not be the act of bringing someone back to life, but perhaps you can start with a text or an email to someone who needs it?
Celina is moving on to other projects, so we are filling in for her. She did a great job for us over the years. Thanks so much.
