Jesus was moved by compassion

 
Reading: When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Luke 7:13.
 
Good morning happy Tuesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
The scene for today’s Gospel (Luke 7:11-17) is the gate of the city of Nain. Jesus, his disciples and a crowd of his followers had just arrived in the city. As they came to the city gate, a man who had died was being carried out. This young man was his mother’s only son and she also was a widow. His death left her all alone. What sorrow the mother must have felt!

I doubt that the woman even saw Jesus. She was focused on her son and her great loss. But Jesus saw her pain and the Scripture says: “he was moved with pity.” Jesus didn’t just “notice” the woman. He truly “saw” her; he reached out to her and he literally “returned” her son to her! When did the woman realize the miracle that had happened? Did she think she was losing her mind? Was this really happening? Or did she simply trust?

At times, we too are in great pain and experiencing great loss. Do we trust that Jesus truly is with us? Do we believe that Jesus not only sees our pain but can we trust that he is reaching out to us, helping us get through the pain, the loss? At these times in our lives, it may be very difficult to trust Jesus. We even may begin to question what God is doing in our lives! Why is God letting this happening? Can I truly trust Jesus? At these painful times, may we pray for the grace to believe and trust that Jesus is right there with us, helping us get through this difficult time!
 
Jesus was moved by compassion for a widow who had lost her only son. Can we identify with the widow, who had lost so much and faced a difficult future? When we are faced with times in our life that seem bleak, we can call on our faith, and God will hear our prayer.
 
The compassion which can invade our hearts at the time of the death of a young person was also in Jesus’ heart for a young widow. He wanted to reach out to her, hold her to his heart and make her life better. This is the same with any suffering we have. The raising up of this young son is a symbol of how Jesus j raises us when we are down. The compassion of his heart lets us know that we are understood, accepted, and welcomed in the loving heart of God.
 
Also, Jesus performed this miracle not because he was asked to, but simply because he felt compassion for this widow. I let my gaze rest on this encounter, as I ask for knowing Jesus better so that I can love him and behave as he did in the face of human suffering, even of people I do not personally know.
 
Can we identify times when others in our society have been bestowed with God’s favor, and do we respond with gratitude that others have been helped? This is a timely reminder that we share a common purpose with others, even those we don’t know. Let us be grateful to God for showing mercy to all people.
 
Blessings,

Luis+