With Compassion ~ Reflection on the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kings 17:17-24

Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13 (2a)

Gal 1:11-19

Lk 7:11-17

Deacon David Nemetz preached on the compassion of Jesus this morning and many of his thoughts lingered with me.

As we read Luke's Gospel, we learn that Jesus has journeyed to Nain with his companions. On entering the city, he is confronted with a funeral procession and notes immediately that the chief mourner is a woman alone, a widow.  In the coffin lies her son, an only son.  Jesus stops in front of the coffin.

Not a word has been spoken by the widow or her friends.  No one has asked Jesus to speak to the widow... More than likely, the widow has no knowledge of who this man is who has walked toward her.

But at a glance, Jesus has taken in the entire picture of what is happening here.  He realizes that this dead son represents the only security the widow had.  With her son's death, there is no one to take care of her.  No one to provide her with shelter, food and clothing.  Jesus is moved with pity and in his compassion, he tells the widow not to weep.  We know that something wonderful is about to happen; for Jesus tells the dead man to arise...  The son is returned to his mother!  Word of this event is spread throughout Judea and the people rejoiced that a great prophet had arisen in their midst.  God had again visited his people!

We can be certain that the widow in turn must have glorified God, recalling the words of the psalmist: "You changed my mourning into dancing; O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks." (vs 13)

Jesus was an only son too.  Remember at the foot of the cross, Jesus made provision for his mother, who was also a widow.  He gave Mary into the care of John the Apostle who brought her into his home and took care of her as a son would do.  In doing so, Jesus was symbolically giving his mother to us too.



Image: The Emmaus Series