A reading according to the gospel of Luke 7:11-17

11 Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
12 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.
13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.”
17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

Luke 7:11-17 Reflection: The Power and Compassion of Jesus

Jesus is God Incarnate who has come to earth to save mankind. His utmost priority is to help the last, uplift the least, and search for the lost. A widow is one of them. Having lost a husband to help and defend her, a widow is one of the most vulnerable members of society. This was true during biblical times and even today.

Jesus went to the city of Nain, not by accident, but on purpose. He knew what was going on there. He has knowledge of a widow in sorrow. He has full awareness that her son died and so her hopes and dreams, too. He is going to make the glory of God work in her life and in her son.

Jesus knew us intimately. He has knowledge of what is going on in our life. We may be undergoing great tribulations. A family member may have untimely passed away or a loved one is in the ICU. A great financial problem may have fallen upon us. Yet there He is. Jesus is is telling us today as He has told to widow, “Do not weep”.

Jesus is the same before and today. He is still moved with pity whenever He sees us in pain and agony. Let us trust in Him. He will make away for the power of God to work in our life.