Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
A little later, Jesus went to a town called Naim. He was accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. As he reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd of townspeople. On seeing her, the Lord had pity on her and said, “Don’t cry.” Then he came up and touched the stretcher, and the men who carried it stopped. Jesus then said, “Young man, I say to you, wake up!” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. A holy fear came over them all, and they praised God saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us. God has visited his people.” This news spread throughout Judea and the surrounding places.
Reflection:
“Don’t cry.”
The mother who is weeping at the death of her son is not only bereaved but is also facing destitution. She has lost her husband and now she has lost her only son, too. The widow of Naim faces a difficult and uncertain future, as she would now have to rely upon the charity of her community for food and clothing, perhaps even shelter (cf. Deut 24:17). Jesus steps into this scene of wailing and commotion and he says to her, “Don’t cry.” These words only make sense if they are said by someone who can truly take away the pain and sorrow, for there is much to cry about. Jesus touches the body of her son and commands him to wake up. Sorrow is turned to joy. Weeping is replaced with praise of God. The dead is restored to life. Christ’s actions tell us that God is with us in our pain and sorrow. He touches us and consoles us, giving us new hope. Saint Cyprian reminds us that our union with Christ means that the Church must also reach out to the sorrowful, the sick, and those in need to give them due care and “honor.”
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