In the classic novel "Alice in Wonderland," written in 1865, we encounter a whimsical and thought-provoking exchange between Alice and a mysterious cat. As Alice finds herself lost in a strange new world, she asks the cat, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" The cat wisely responds, "That depends greatly on where you want to get to." Confused, Alice replies, "I don't much care where so long as I get somewhere." To this, the cat says, "Then it doesn't matter which way you go!"
The Gospel of the Day invites us to view life as a journey, recognizing that the Lord, "The Way," should be our road, direction, and destination. Life is full of journeys—short and long, inward and outward, toward God and away from Him. Each journey, whether a simple errand or a life-changing event, shapes who we are. Our earthly journey begins at birth and moves steadily toward its inevitable end, death. In today's Gospel—the raising of the widow's son in Nain—we witness multiple journeys amid death and life.
God Raises Us Up
The encounter of Jesus with the widow of Nain is one of the most touching scenes in the New Testament. Jesus saw the tearful woman and was moved with pity and compassion. Did he think of another widow who would soon accompany her only Son to the tomb—his Mother Mary? Like the "Good Samaritan" in his famous parable, Jesus cannot just go on His journey when he sees misery, sorrow, and suffering.
Luke's skillful description of the dead man as the only son of a widowed mother meant the burial of her last hope. For a widow to have lost her only son in a patriarchal society indicated that her fate was grim. She grieved as one who would be willing to change places with the deceased, to enter death to restore life. She grieved as someone whose journey was coming to an end, too.
From the Old Testament, we hear that the prophet Elijah had raised the son of the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:23), and Elisha had raised the son of the widow at Shunem (2 Kings 4:32-36); they did this with symbolic rites and supplications by the power of God.
Jesus raised at least three dead people back to life: Jairus' daughter, who just died; the widow's son at Nain in today's reading, who was about to be buried; and Lazarus, who was already dead for four days. All of them lived again!
Our Little Deaths
All of us have had our own experiences in our life journeys of being "dead" on our way to "getting buried" or being "long dead." Maybe I died emotionally when I broke up with someone, or I died emotionally when my parents got separated, I died socially when I lived in poverty, I died physically when I was dying of a fatal illness, I died financially when I got buried in debt, and I died spiritually when I committed grave sins. These "deaths" should have sealed you or me in a coffin, but I'm still alive! You are still alive. Because repeatedly, you hear Jesus telling us, "Arise!" son. Arise, daughter.
Is there anything in you that has just died? A relationship? A business venture? A dream? Are they on their way to get buried? Or have they been dead for some time now? Know that any death is never the end for God — not even physical death. Hear Jesus today saying, "Arise!" By God's mercy and miracle, you will live!
Nothing remains dead in God's hands. Whatever you think may be dying, have died, or even buried in your life, will rise again. Begin a new journey today.
- Father Fred's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and Rosary) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join 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.)
