Jesus' How do we respond to the misfortunes of others? In a
number of places the Gospel records that Jesus was oved 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. This miracle took place near the
spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again.
Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of
power he restored life for one marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the
living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he
also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he
had promised his disciples. 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.
copyright (c) 2016 Servants of the Word
Please remember the Father’s Day brunch – June 19th
after 9:30 and 11:30 Masses. Tickets are available after Sat./Sun. Masses or
from the office.
Fr. Phil
