Reflection for Tuesday September 13, John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 7:11-17

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

11 (Jesus) journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As 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. 13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  

14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” 17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

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Reflection:

Imagine the sorrow, loneliness and perhaps the feeling of hopelessness of the widow whose son was to be buried. She had nothing more to rely on, her husband has died and her only son is to be buried. Thus the feeling of loneliness pervades all over her.  

Then came the unexpected encounter with Jesus who was going to a place called Nain. Jesus saw her, the Lord went to her and told her, Do not weep (Luke 7:13); after which Jesus raised back to life her dead son. Surely her feelings of loneliness was suddenly replaced by feelings of hope, optimism and gladness. For the reason that her only son was brought to life again by Jesus.  

We all go through this feeling of loneliness, emptiness and feeling of being alone as if nobody cares anymore with our plight. But make no mistake about it because somebody still cares and that somebody is no other than Jesus. Let us continue to have Faith and Hope in Him for He will always be there for us.  

Do you know how to avoid the feeling of being alone, the feeling of without hope and the feeling of emptiness?  Always have an encounter with Jesus through the Holy Mass through your personal prayer and by finding time to read the Holy Bible.  

Do you always seek an encounter with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas