Daily Inspiration

“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.” -Luke 7:11-17

Two points leaped into mind as I read this passage. God is the creator of life, not death, and Jesus was Mary’s only child.

Point one: We must lift our heads above this earthly mire, looking beyond this world if we want to understand life and death. Jesus tells us, “God is the God of the living, not the dead.” God is life, and we are assured of His life in us whenever we choose virtue over sin and accept the Son into our body and soul. Death was not created until man decided to sin against Our Lord, and in that choice, the consequence of the Fall became death. Each time we choose unrepentant sin over virtue, we reject God’s offering of eternal life with Him, choosing instead to follow the lord of death, who was first to fall like lightning from heaven.

Point two: Ancient Jewish custom required children to care for their widowed mothers. Jesus raises the son out of pity for a mother who would be left without food, shelter, and the care of any family. Jesus foreshadows the same love He would show for His own mother from upon the Cross. Mary, who was widowed and without anyone left to care for her, would suffer the same fate as the woman in this passage. But Jesus doesn’t just give Mary to John; He also gives John to Mary.

The words of Scripture are layered like an onion; there is meaning upon meaning, always so much more than only the simple words on the pages. “God has visited His people.” The God of Life gives Himself for you, that you, too, will have eternal life. And just as He did for John, He gives you to Mary, and gives His mother, Mary, to you, that you may take her into your house. In doing so, in caring for His mother, she will always lead you only to her Son and the eternal life Jesus offers.

Pope Saint Cornelius, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you.