The Gospel according to 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.
Reflection:
Friends, I’m going to take a few moments to share what is on my heart today and this week. After the joy of my birthday last week (and thank you to those who offered greetings and well-wishes!), this week has become somewhat melancholy for me. Today is my sister Bobbie’s birthday, and she would have been 64 today. She passed unexpectedly after an off-road accident nearly ten years ago. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the passing of Linda’s father, Bob Burns. Thursday is the anniversary of the passing of my mom, Ann, and Friday is the anniversary of the passing of my dad, Chuck McDaniels Sr.
It’s so easy to get caught up in all that loss that we lose sight of the glory that Jesus promises us. He gave a little taste of it to the widow of Nain in today’s Gospel, where Jesus restored to life her son, the one on whom she was totally reliant for everything. Jesus longs to restore all of us to life, and not just for however many earthly years we may have, but for eternity with Him and all those whom we love who have gone before us. How else can He say to us at any celebration of life, “Do not weep”, unless the sorrow and loss is ultimately going to be replaced by joy, and not just any joy, but joy that will last FOREVER.
A couple of weeks ago, I presided at a graveside service for a woman who lived a life of 96 years, and if the spirit of those attending this service on a VERY hot day in Pomona is any indication, she lived a life that greatly touched others. No matter how many years each of us has on this earth, let us do our best to live a life that matters and that touches and improves the lives of those around us. We don’t have to do it in huge, showy ways. We can just do it by being a faithful servant of God, and a loving son or daughter of our Creator. That’s my prayer today, and every day.
I do long for the day when our God calls me home, but I know He has more work for me to do in His vineyard. He has work for each one of us. Today, let us say a prayer of thanks to God for all of those who have helped us in our faith and in our walk as Jesus’ disciples. And, let us pray, too, that we may choose those loving actions that extend Jesus’ Kingdom to everyone we meet, that in some small way, others may know that “God has visited His people”, through those kind and loving actions of ours.
Action for the Day:
Pray for all who are mourning the loss of loved ones, and that each one of us *will* be a source of love and peace, and may each of us shine Jesus’ light to whomever God may place in our paths today.
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