7:11-17
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.
He Had Compassion…
How moving it is to see how Jesus took pity on this poor widow, and how much hope it should inspire in us to know that the Lord has compassion on us too. At times, we may fall into the temptation of thinking that God is “too busy” with other, more important matters than us. Nothing could be further from the truth: He loves us infinitely and wants us to be happy, living out the plan He has prepared for us, for our marriage. And it pains Him when we turn away from that plan. And when do we turn away? Each time we think, do, or say anything guided by our own criteria rather than by love, we return to the Passion of the Lord; we scourge Him again, press the crown of thorns into His head, and nail Him once more to the Cross.
Let us therefore ask the Lord to help us have compassion, first of all for our spouse, and of course also for our children, family, and friends. At times, it may seem easier to have compassion for others, but we must be consistent with our vocation and live an undivided life, beginning this attitude in our own home.
Brought down to Married Life:
Benjamin: Darling, have you noticed how the children went off to school today? I think you should pay a little more attention to the details and help them get ready in the mornings.
Beth: Seriously, are you going to reproach me for how the children are dressed? You know that at that hour I barely have time to get everything done and, honestly, I can never count on you. By the time I realise, you’ve already left, and sometimes I feel very much alone.
(Later that night, during their couple’s prayer…)
Benjamin: The Lord, through this Gospel, has shown me that I must first take care of you and the children, and only then of others, of my work… What use is it to do great things or big projects if, in the end, I fail to do so at home first? Forgive me — truly, I wasn’t aware of how alone I had left you. I will make an effort to be more attentive to you and the children, but I will need your help — and, if possible, without reproaches, because otherwise my pride makes it much harder for me.
Beth: Darling, I love that you can recognise what the Lord is saying to you and that you share it with me afterwards. I love you so much!
Mother,
We ask you to help us to recognise the needs of our spouse (and of all those close to us), so that we may live like the Lord, with hearts ready to give of themselves at all times.
Praise be to the Lord.