Gospel Reading for September 16, 2025 – Luke 7: 11-17
MIRACLE
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. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
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This was a double whammy. Her husband was dead, now her only son was dead too. In Jesus’ times, widows depended a lot on their adult sons for sustenance. Who then, would support her?
Jesus performed the extraordinary MIRACLE of bringing back to life a dead person, out of his great compassion for her. He teaches us that compassion is not just an emotion or a feeling, but it is about doing something to ease the pain, suffering, the burden of the other. And, this is bound to bring about a MIRACLE!
Although fear seized them, they glorified God and made them believe that “God has visited his people.” Let us remember, that whenever we do good to others, we help them believe that God has visited them.
Lord Jesus, make us your instruments in easing the pain, suffering, the burden of others!
