Luke 7: 11-17 (Tuesday, September 18, 2007)

Nain was a city that was close to Shunem. Shunem is important to our gospel of today because in Shunem, the Prophet Elisha had raised a boy to life. In 2 Kings 4: 18-37, we see the story of Elisha prophesying the birth of a son to a woman whose husband is getting advanced in age and they have no children. When this child grew to the age of helping the father with farm work, he had a headache and died. Elisha however brought him back to life. This miracle testified to the fact that Elisha was truly a man of God. Given how small this whole area was, the story most likely spread to the surrounding cities such as Nain, the city Jesus performed today’s miracle. Also, as a culture rich in oral tradition, this story got transmitted from one generation to another. In today’s gospel when Jesus performs this miracle of bringing the son of the widow back to life, the people acknowledged that “a great prophet has arisen in our midst.” They are very much familiar with great prophets of old such as Elijah and Elisha who performed such great miracles as the one performed by Jesus.
One of the things that touch me so much in today’s gospel is Jesus’ words, “Do not weep.” Like the widow who has lost the only son, there are many things that we weep about in our own lives. It may be a failed marriage, a failed business, a failed relationship, etc. Jesus says to you today, “Do not weep.” He shows that he is not only Lord over life, but he is Lord over death. He is not only Lord over success; he is also Lord over failure. Trust that he will lead you through those times of failure.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you today with all my failures. I believe that you are Lord over failures. Please Lord, transform my failures into success that I may reach the potentials you have for me.