Stop That Hearse

"Young man arise!"

The Gospel being proclaimed at mass this weekend is from Luke 7: 11-17, the story of the widow at Nain.  If you recall this widow had already lost her husband and now her son had been taken from her. In her world, having no man in the household to support her, she would be reduced to begging to sustain her life. Jesus entered the town and saw the widow in loud mourning, he saw the funeral procession proceeding to the tomb. The gospel says "He was moved with pity for her."  He stopped the procession and commanded, "Young man, arise." The man sat up in the coffin and began to speak,  Jesus gave him back to his mother and the crowd praised God,  They said, "A great profit has arisen in our midst." And further the shouted "God has visited His people."  They were filled with awe. 

Our deacon at mass made a couple of points that I want to share with you. First, this reading is heard on the 10th Sunday in Ordinary time every third year. But this Sunday very often is either Corpus Christi Sunday or Trinity Sunday whose readings would take precedence. The next time this gospel will be proclaimed on a Sunday will be in the year 2043!  Chances are very good that I will be speaking to the widow in heaven when this comes around again. The other thing he mentioned I found fascinating.  In our translation of the Bible we read that Jesus was moved with pity for this widow who would have been reduced to begging to earn her daily bread.  In actuality the phrase used her in the Greek is, "He was filled with gut wrenching love for her."  That is quite a difference.  Feeling pity is one thing and being filled with gut wrenching love is quite another. Luke uses this same phrase in two other passages. Of course I can only remember one of them!  It was used when the Prodigal Father saw his son afar of and ran to greet him. 

Gut wrenching love is what God has for us. There is no reason to be afraid of Him. He will take us back as long as we want to be restored to His friendship.  This coming week remember the love the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have for you and spread that love wherever you go.  Small tender acts of mercy are well within our reach. Maybe instead of cursing the guy that cuts you off in traffic you can utter a prayer that he receives the mercy of God that day.  Maybe stop at the church and put a couple of dollars into the poor box.  Go home and be extra gentle and loving with your spouse. Put on Jesus and share the gut wrenching love He has for us with others.