Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 19, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Tuesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: 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 mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

This is one of my favorite gospel stories because it speaks to Jesus’ compassion for the helpless, the hopeless, those deemed insignificant in the world. In Jesus’ time, a childless widow was among “the least.” Her grief at the loss of her son, her only son, however, was not insignificant to Jesus nor was she. Jesus’ compassion for her is authentic. Compassion literally means “to suffer with.” Knowing what the future held for himself and for his mother, Jesus truly suffered with this woman as he beheld her in her grief.

The second reason this is one of my favorite gospel stories is that one of my favorite Jesus sayings is “I came so that they might have life (John 10:10). Here he brings life, He restores life, He assures life for this woman and for her beloved son.

How does this pertain to us today?

This world has a way of reducing us, of making us feel less than we are, less than who we are created to be. Christ offers us hope. Christ offers us life. Christ’s compassion flows for us as He blesses us with His love and with His gift of life.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I seek Christ’s help when I am feeling low, helpless, hopeless? Do I trust in Christ’s love for me? Do I seek the life Christ died to ensure me?

Praying:

LORD, Your love for us, your mercy beyond understanding, your compassion for us in our suffering, emboldens us to cry out to You for help when we are in need. We trust in your loving presence and in your power wielded for us in our need. We look to You, LORD, for You alone are “the way and the truth and the life” that we seek, that we need. Amen.