X SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
I TELL YOU, ARISE
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
The first reading and the gospel have a direct connection and they narrate similar events. The second indirectly relates to the story of St. Paul. And so we could say that the message of this Sunday is: “I tell you, arise.” (Lk 7:14b)
In the first reading and in the gospel we find the pain of death. The people of Israel, and all of the peoples of the East, had the conviction that illness is a sign of a curse and a premature death a sign of personal sin or the sin of one’s ancestors. They believed that a jealous God was using it to get some kind of recompense. Questions arise in the face of suffering in every place. It has always been difficult to understand suffering and death and even more so when it is premature or sudden (suicides or accidents).
In the situation of the mother from Zarephath, when she sees that her son has died complains to the prophet Elijah: “Why have you done this to me, O man of God? Have you come to me to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?” (1 Kgs 17:18) If we change the words of that widow a little it would be something like this: your presence has not been beneficial for me and for my son. We were better before without you! I just want to remember the words of Jesus: “gold is purified with fire.” Faced with pain it either helps us to be purified or it destroys us, depending on how we live with it.
I have heard many times from couples when they are asked: Why don’t you get married in the Church? And they respond: Why? We’re good as we are. So we can fight later? They only see the suffering and not the blessing. Bad experiences of a few are burned in our memory while we do not see the blessings of the great majority. ‘“O LORD, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child.’ The LORD heard the prayer of Elijah; the life breath returned to the child’s body and he revived…’Now indeed I know that you are a man of God. The word of the LORD comes truly from your mouth.’” (1 Kgs 17:21.24) Miracles are signs that point toward the recognition of the prophetic mission of those that are sent by God. Breathing is a sign of the presence of the life-giving Spirit in living beings. Death is the absence of breathing. And breathing is an effect of the Spirit. Even today many miracles happen around us but we have to see them with eyes of faith and hope, trusting in God and in his love.
In the gospel we hear the story of the widow of Nain, a very well-known story. 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!’” (Lk 7:13-14) In the gospel of Saint Luke, the author likes to emphasize Jesus’ feelings of compassion and mercy. The parables of Mercy are found in the gospel of Saint Luke. He tells that Jesus felt pity for that mother who was a widow, and so, her only son had died and she was defenseless in every aspect, without a husband or a son, stripped of any valuables a woman had in that time. Jesus captures perfectly the situation and feels pity for that woman. At Jesus’ command life comes forth once again. And he is given to his mother. What a beautiful gesture on Jesus’ part, a gesture of care and tenderness for those who suffer. That is our God!
God always surprises us with his goodness and his power to do good. God is at the center and we should only glorify Him. God has visited his people. Let us praise God and give him thanks because he is always with each and every one of us. His power is infinite and his love and mercy are great. Faced with suffering, pain and death, our only way out and our only hope is God. Because he gives us back our strength, life and joy.