Spread the Word

GospelLuke 7:11-17 
Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.

The Gospel of Luke plays with time, just as we so often do. Written in a theatrical way it plays with flashbacks and portents like an epic story where the audience is in on all the acts.

Jesus has only just answered the prayer of the Centurian. The prayer that we say at every Mass - 'I am not worthy to have you under my roof but only say the word and my servant will be healed'. The faith of a Gentile; a Roman soldier at that, surprises even Jesus. in a buoyant mood and with the crowd at his heels he enters the next town to be faced with the saddest of sights.

The death of an only son is hard enough but for a widow in a desert town it brought the promise of hardship. Surrounded by sorrowful townsfolk for the moment, their sympathy will go only so far. With no-one to care for her the widow could be forced into destitution or begging.

Is this a moment of fortelling? Does Jesus see his own widowed mother grieving over his own lifeless body in the sadness of the funeral procession? Or is there the simple compassion of knowing that he has the ability to help and so he does.

The mere understatement of the miracle must have been part of the wonder; God truly in the midst of his people.

In the midst of life we can believe we have experienced  a miracle; the bringing back to life of what was gone. Whether this is a relationship, a commitment or a life. In those times we speak out joyfully, knowing that God is in our midst.

But, far more often,  it is the smaller ways; the tiny acts of faith, friendship, unexpected kindness that also remind us that God is present in our lives. Practicing gratitude, generosity, mindfulness; all acts of faith that the world considers too hard.

In school we discussed miracles and decided that they didn't exist. Then I told them about a miracle I believe happened to me when my daughter was conceived. 'Oh yes' - one of the students had a similar story; then another and another until we all had at least one healing event in our lives that we hadn't expected. A classful of miracles that left us feeling the presence of something powerfully divine.

The story of the son brought to life must have spread throughout the countryside but why not the smaller stories of grace? Like the little house churches that carried the faith wider and farther than the stones of the temple; like the two or three that are all that are needed in the gathering. Be prepared to believe yourself blessed; to believe that coincidences can be miracles; that prayers are answered.

And then, let that faith spread throughout your life.


wordinthehand2013

Comments

Blue Eyed Ennis said…
Thanks Word. This is a a great post To treat all life as a miracle - what a difference that would make in this world.
9 June 2013 at 08:03
Mairie said…
Trying to take my own advice - indeed what a difference:)
9 June 2013 at 09:25
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