Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 5, 2016 - 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C [Corpus Christi 2010]
[1 Kgs 17:17-24; Gal 1:11-19; 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 mothe, and she was a widow......[Luke]
These words from the beginning of today's gospel require us to set aside our Western notions of male-female socio-cultural dynamics! What Luke describes here would be true today in the Middle Eastern culture of Jesus' time and our time. The young man who has died is not the only person who has died! In the Middle East, it would not even matter if the woman had daughters. What matters is that she has lost the only male person who could protect her and give her any status or meaning. She was a widow and had only that one son. In short, she has "lost her life." Note in the gospel text, Jesus responds to HER situation: "When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her, and said to her, 'Do not weep.'" Yes, the young man is restored to life, but so is his mother! [Note also that the first scripture for today has a similar incident from the Book of Kings.]
Our own experience should tell us that "life" is more than physical functioning. It is faith, family, friends, meaningful work and a host of other elements. When we reach out in mercy as the Lord does, we can restore meaning and hope to people who feel as if they no longer have a reason to live. Jesus teaches us earlier in the Gospel of Luke: "Be compassionate, as your heavenly Father is compassionate. [Luke 6:36] A simple act of mercy and kindness may be worth someone's life! AMEN