Jesus Sees Our Needs - Weekday Homily Video

There are times in life when we find it hard to see the world around us, not because we’re having problems with our eyes, but because our hearts are heavy to the point of being overwhelmed. I imagine that would have been the case for the widow in the Gospel of Luke who had just lost her only child, her son. In addition to her great loss, her life, her well-being would be uncertain.

It is in this context that two groups of people are passing in opposite directions at the city gate of Nain: the widow and the mourners carrying her son leaving the city for the burial grounds, and Jesus and his disciples entering the city. Those city gates could be a little like the arrival and departure gates at an airport, quite a chaotic scene.

The Power of Jesus' Word

Unlike the centurion from yesterday’s gospel who sought out Jesus, in this case, the widow said not a word. Amidst the throngs of people, it was Jesus who saw her, and “… was moved with pity for her.” Jesus’ compassion leads to action. He reassures this mother by telling her not to weep and then touches the coffin and tells the young man to “arise.” The dead man miraculously sits up and begins to speak.

Once again, we witness the power of Jesus’ word to either heal or, in this case, raise a person from the dead. Before Jesus, the prophets prayed to God, and healing took place. With Jesus, it is His word alone that brings about these miraculous events.

The Gospel of Luke, more than any other, emphasizes Jesus as our Savior. Luke points out that an encounter with Jesus brings about liberty from sin and a new life of grace, not at some future point but immediately. Remember Jesus’ recognition of the woman’s grief and his immediate action by telling the young man to “arise.”

The Depths of God's Love

At first glance, we might wonder about the need to pray to Jesus, given the widow’s silence. However, a deeper reflection helps us to recognize that what Luke reveals is the depths of God’s love for us, especially when we are most burdened by life. Some might have wondered if God cared about that widow who had just lost her only child, her son. But what Luke reveals is that God sees every trial that we experience and wants to help us, even when we lack the strength or words to ask at the time. Jesus draws near to us in these moments.

Perhaps you’ve had a time or two in your life when you were so overwhelmed and worn down that you didn’t know how to take the next step. Then, without warning, you found what you needed to keep going. Perhaps a family member, friend, or even just an acquaintance appeared at just the right time to help. Jesus works in mysterious and powerful ways that we often don’t recognize in the moment. And, yet, when we do recognize His presence, we express what the people in today’s gospel say, “God has visited His people,” and He did so through His grace and those who came in His name.

May God bless you and your families this holy day as we give thanks that God sees all our needs with compassion.

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

• To view the Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream).