In this reading for the weekend of 4th/5th June, the story of the raising of the widow’s son points towards the resurrection and emphasises the compassion of Jesus. Fr Adrian Graffy reflects.
Luke 7:11-17
11 Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. 12 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. 13 When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry,’ he said. 14 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.’ 15 And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ 17 And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the country side.
Other readings: 1 Kings 17:17-24 Psalm 29 (30) Galatians 1:11-19
Reflection
There are only a few accounts of the raising of the dead in the four gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke record the raising of the little daughter of the synagogue official, Jairus. In John chapter 11 the raising of Lazarus from the dead provokes growing antagonism to Jesus as his death draws near. The raising of the son of the widow of Nain in Luke’s gospel has particular features. The evangelist stresses the large number of people who witness this mighty deed and he emphasises the compassion of Jesus. This woman is already a widow, and now she has lost her only son, who presumably would have been her only support.
The first words of Jesus are to the woman herself. He addresses her with the simple command ‘Do not cry.’ In John chapter 20 the risen Jesus says to Mary Magdalene ‘Why are you weeping?’ Tears shed at the loss of the beloved are wiped away by the joy of the resurrection. Jesus’ words to the young man are brief and straightforward: ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ Literally, ‘Young man, I tell you, be raised up.’ When he raises the dead, Jesus points towards the resurrection.
Jesus’ first concern continues to be for the mother: ‘Jesus gave him to his mother.’ He comes to confront sin and death, but also to heal the broken-hearted.
The reaction of the crowd is to proclaim Jesus a prophet. The raising of the young man by the prophet Elijah in the first Book of Kings is our first reading. In the verses following our gospel reading Luke records the question of the messengers sent by John the Baptist: ‘Are you the one who is to come?’ (7:20) Jesus replies: ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen……the dead are raised and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor.’ (7:22)
Do I realise that the gospel is a message of life for all?
How might I reflect the compassion of Jesus in my life?
Pray for the bereaved, especially those who are without the support of family and friends.
Pray for those who care for the dying that they may do so with sensitivity and compassion.
Rev Dr Adrian Graffy is a member of the Vatican Commission that takes a lead in Bible scholarship, interpretation and promotion in the Catholic Church.
Rev Dr Graffy said of his five-year appointment by Pope Francis in 2014: “It is an honour to be nominated by Pope Francis as a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. I feel humbled and very much look forward to being of service to His Holiness and the Church.”
He added: “A great deal has been achieved in England and Wales in recent years by many co-workers to advance Biblical scholarship and the provision of easy-to-use resources. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and the Bishops’ Conference Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis for their efforts to promote understanding and love of the Bible, particularly through the publication of the teaching documents, The Gift of Scripture and the study guide to Verbum Domini, The Word of the Lord.”
Rev Dr Graffy received his doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome in 1983. He taught for over 20 years in St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, and is Chair of the National Scripture Working Group, which is an instrument of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Fr Graffy is a past director of Brentwood’s Commission for Evangelisation and Formation and parish priest of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Gidea Park, Essex. Among his publications are the Gospel of Mark and the Letter to the Romans (Alive Publishing).
Listen to BBC Essex interview with Fr Adrian Graffy
Rev Dr Adrian Graffy is a member of the Vatican Commission that takes a lead in Bible scholarship, interpretation and promotion in the Catholic Church.