In today’s Gospel of Luke, Jesus shows the power of God and His creative magnificence as he happens upon a funeral procession in the City of Nain, a village in Galilee, and raises a young man from the dead.
In the gospel account, as Jesus nears the City gate, he sees the funeral procession—for the only son of a widow (in Jewish culture this mother was without any standing in the community—her husband is deceased and her only son is gone too—so Jesus takes pity on the widow and walks toward the her and speaks first saying, “Do not weep.” Then 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.
This story is about God’s love for life and the magnificence of His creative power. From the dead he raises the young man to life again and then gave the young man back to his mother.
God visited His people in the person of Jesus Christ. He raises a young man from death to life and restores the most basic relationship of all—the relationship of life-giving love—the relationship of a parent and child. Like God’s creative power which is seen in all creation in the universe, His chief goal is life-giving love. In the relationship that is our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we too are invited into that love—to Believe it, to live it, and to share it— to become part of He who was, is and shall ever be—a God of love who calls us to be His love in our families, our communities, our world. We can do that because we share in His Divine Image and Likeness. Let us not waste His Image or His Love. Let us share ourselves with others as we are strengthened in Word, Sacrament and action.