Lk 7:11-17
11[Jesus] journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12As 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. 13When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” 17This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Reflection:
Jesus was moved with pity for her. The Gospel has the makings of a real drama—a widow, the only son, the feeling of pity, the giving back to the mother, the fear and the wonder of the people. Stories like this can only end in triumph.
But life goes on. Soon it will take its due course. People will go back to their normal lives. The son will die again and will be buried. The mother will pass away, too. And there may be no Jesus to stop the funeral march the second time around.
Jesus touches them all. This is what matters and changes them forever. Our lives are not monotonous marches. It is sometimes stopped by touching moments like this that changes the pace and color of our walk forever.
Take a long walk today.