GOSPEL

The only son of his mother, and she a widow

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Luke 7:11-17

Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.

Submissive in Love

In this Gospel, we uncover a kind of “dependence” the Lord has towards us. It is His love that drives Him to submit to us. Incredible! But what kind of love makes an entire God submit to His creatures? It’s a love beyond human comprehension, a love only understood through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is the same love that fosters the mutual submission between husband and wife. How else can we understand the call to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”? It is the greatest love that enables one to be “subject” to the other. You cannot ignore the sufferings of your spouse, just as Jesus does not ignore ours. You cannot stop seeking to please your spouse, just as Jesus seeks to please the Father in His submission. Husbands and wives, submit to one another as to the Lord.

Applied to Married Life:

Henry: I was trying to understand just how united we are, and I’ve realised that when God’s love is between us, there is nothing of yours that doesn’t affect me. There’s no cross you bear that I don’t share, no desire of yours that doesn’t challenge me, no complaint of yours that doesn’t pierce the depths of my soul.
Amelia: Oh darling, you’re saying such beautiful and profound things. Whoever would have thought you’d speak like this?
Henry: Yes, well, I find myself loving you more each day. At first, I lived with you, then I began living for you, and now, more and more, with God’s help, I live in you. I know I often make mistakes, but I am completely yours.
Amelia: I know. I see many changes in you, and I feel proud of your journey towards holiness. I thank God so much for it. I know all this is His work, for such a transformation could never be purely human.

Mother,

How powerful it is to be submissive in love. The Lord taught us this in His earthly life, and He continues to teach us daily through His real presence in the Eucharist and within each one of us. Praise be to our Lord.