First Reading: 1Tim 3:1-13; Psalm: 101. R. v. 2c; Gospel: Lk 7:11-17

DO NOT WEEP

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

God’s compassion is immeasurable. God knows and understands our situations and would not cease to show his compassion and love to us. No one understands our feelings better than God; for God knows the depths of our hearts. The widow of Nain had just lost her only son and was on her way to the tomb to bury him. Jesus alongside his disciples and a great crowd happened to be passing the same way towards the city of Nain. And the joyful crowd led by Jesus met a sorrowful procession.  It was not by chance that Jesus met this bereaved widow and her dead son but by divine providence.

Jesus was moved with compassion on seeing this widow. He could feel her sorrow and pain and saw what life would become of her without a family. And so he intervened and said to her, “Do not weep.” This consoling statement of Jesus was deeper than words. It was beyond the sympathising words of one who consoles a bereaved. It was an assurance of hope that her son would live again; for Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Jesus touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he commanded life into the dead man saying; “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man came back to life.

We should always not forget that God is aware of our situations. God is never late but knows the best time to intervene in our cases. We should take solace and be hopeful in these consoling and reassuring words of Jesus – “Do not weep.” Our hope and trust in Jesus who is the resurrection and the life must not be allowed to wither by the challenges of life. Jesus has conquered death and so has power over every situation that threatens our well-being. So, whatever troubles we go through in this life is not beyond the redeeming power of Jesus. And this is why Jesus encourages us today not to weep hopelessly but to trust in him. Though our cases may be as bad as dead; but Jesus has the answer to that situation. At the appointed time he will intervene.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to trust in you in all circumstances. Amen.