Year C : Reflections on the Gospel of Luke 7:11-17
In today's Gospel, we see a compassionate Jesus. He observes the dead young son of a widow being carried on a bier, along a dirt road, leading to the grave. He is her only child. Not only does she grieve his passing, but he is her only source of support in a time when women depended on male family members to care for them. Jesus' heart goes out to her in her great loss.
Jesus could well be also envisioning the day when his own mother would be heartbroken over the cruel death of her only son. He is touched to a degree that he chooses to raise the son from the dead. What great joy the mother is experiencing, as depicted in the picture above! What happiness Jesus must feel to be able to return the beloved child to his mother!
Maybe Mary was there that day. Did she understand that Jesus was trying to reassure her that even though she would see him die at the hands of sinful men, he would also rise from the dead? Did she have a sense of the joy that would be hers on that blessed day, as she watched the widow tenderly cup her son's face in her hands? Were some of the disciples present to observe this miracle? Were they able to trust that Jesus would come back to them also?
We can observe how Jesus sensed the heartbreak of the widow and how he responded to her great sorrow and need. However, the witnesses seem puzzled. Who is this Jesus, the son of a carpenter, who can raise a person from the dead? Were some resentful of all the attention Jesus' kindness and power brought to him? Are they feeling jealous that people are following him? He seems so very ordinary, yet he does extraordinary things? Where does he get his power? Do they feel drawn to follow Him and imitate his compassion in their own lives? We can only speculate about all these things. However, allowing ourselves to contemplate the scene, can deepen our appreciation of the Lord and His followers.
Today we observe the compassionate Jesus who told us that he is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." Are we willing to live His Way? Do we make the necessary sacrifices to extend compassion to our brothers and sisters in need? With the Lord at our sides giving us strength, we can let go of our self-centered ways and embrace His Way.
Among St. Katharine Drexel's writings we find the following: "I firmly believe that we don't realize the power that is ours in the Companionship which is ours." Who needs our compassion at this time?
