Too Many Widows Burying Their Children Today

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.

A parent should never have to bury a child, it is not the natural way of things.  Traditionally, our children are to grow up, make their way in life, and eventually carry on our name in the world by having children of their own. Their last acts of love for us are supposed to be to care for us in our old age and to bury us once we have died. 

Back in the time of our Lord this poor woman who is described as a widow was burying her only son. In that day a woman who was alone without a man to care for her needs was in the most pitiful condition.  She could not conduct business, she was not allowed to work and she would have been reduced to begging for her bread.  Some would have looked at her as being almost evil because the death of her son would have been seen as a punishment for some sin that had been committed by either herself or her son.  

Jesus knew all of these things and He took pity on the poor widow. He restored to her the son that would look after her and make sure she was okay.  Jesus would perform this act one more time and that would be from the deathbed of His cross when He made sure His widowed mother would be taken care of once He died. He told John the Apostle that she was now his mother and he told Mary that John was now her son.  

There are many children being killed today.  In the streets of Chicago in the Brighton Park neighborhood where I grew up violence is claiming the youth. A scant seven blocks from my ancestral home four people were gunned down just the other day.  Drugs and guns, a most deadly combination are forcing parents to bury their children and the hope for a better life for the next generation is extinguished by the juice of a flower and lead bullets.  I fear that there is no cure for this malady that afflicts our modern cities. The disease of drug addiction and the scourge of guns intertwine to enrich the funeral director and rob us of a peaceful future.  For we have yet to learn that violence begets violence and that putting trust in the things of this world, in wealth that will tarnish is a foolishness that will follow us into eternity, but the goods, the treasure will remain here for others to fight over. 

I ask for prayers.  Please pray for America and for the youth that lives here. Pray that they be given the wisdom to know that widowed mothers should not have to buy funeral goods for their sons and daughters. I ask for prayers for those that are addicted to drugs and alcohol that they may find their way out of their prison and into the light of sobriety.  I ask for prayers for those that deal in drugs, guns, and violence that they may be inspired to throw down the tools of their trade and to come out of their dirty business lest they slip into the firey gehenna where the flame never goes out.  There are just too many dead children and we must make it stop. 

The poor souls in purgatory need you to pray for them today. Please spend a quick moment in prayer for them, they will not forget you for doing this for them.