On How do you respond to the misfortunes of
others? In a number of places the gospel records that Jesus was "moved to
the depths of his heart" when he met with individuals and with groups of
people. Our modern use of the word "compassion" doesn't fully convey
the deeper meaning of the original Hebrew word which expresses heart-felt
"sympathy" and personal identification with the suffering person's
grief and physical condition. Why was Jesus so moved on this occasion when he
met a widow and a crowded funeral procession on their way to the cemetery?
Jesus not only grieved the untimely death of a young man, but he showed the
depth of his concern for the woman who lost not only her husband, but her only
child as well. The only secure means of welfare in biblical times was one's
family. This woman had lost not only her loved ones, but her future security
and livelihood as well.
The scriptures make clear that God takes no
pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11) – he desires life, not
death. Jesus not only had heart-felt compassion for the widow who lost her only
son, he also had extraordinary supernatural power – the ability to restore life
and to make a person whole again. Jesus, however, did something which must have
shocked the sensibilities of the widow and her friends. Jesus approached the
bier to make physical contact with the dead man. The Jews understood that
contact with a dead body made oneself ritually unclean or impure. Jesus'
physical touch and personal identification with the widow's loss of her only
son not only showed the depths of his love and concern for her, but pointed to
his desire to free everyone from the power of sin and moral corruption, and
even death itself. Jesus' simple word of command – "Young man, arise"
– not only restored him to physical life, but brought freedom and wholeness to
his soul as well as his body. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that
because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life
with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). "Lord Jesus, your
healing presence brings life and restores us to wholeness of mind, body, and
spirit. Speak your word to us and give us renewed hope, strength, and courage
to follow you in the midst of life's sorrows and joys."
A note about my journey:
After 23 days in hospital, May 6 – 29, I
managed to spend 6 days back in Whitby recuperating. Today is Wednesday June 5th
and I am headed back into the hospital today for another week to 10 days due to
more complications from the surgeries. Unfortunately, the surgical sites are
still infected so rather than battling those issues with the help of daily home
care nurses my surgeon asked me to come back into the hospital today so that
the infections can be more aggressively treated. All in all, I think the worst is behind me. I
am able to walk fairly well and continue to improve each day. I am beginning to
feel much better than I have in a long time and hope my improvements continue.
I am still receiving many emails of good wishes and cards in the mail for which
I thank you once again.
Fr.
Phil
