Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 7, 11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
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.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
Reset
1. Naim. This word means comfort, pleasant or delightful. It’s important to find what is pleasing and what strengthens you in life—what helps you be yourself and what gives you the will to live. Saint Thomas Aquinas acknowledged that pleasure can be a part of human flourishing, he emphasized that true and lasting happiness (beatitude) comes from knowing and loving God. You need to find that place or that person, that “Naim,” who brings you peace, contributes to your growth and inspires you.
2. An only son. Losing someone you love is a blow that can feel like death itself, making you lose all sense of purpose. In the Gospel, Jesus doesn’t just bring the young man back to life; He also restores the woman who was devastated by grief. Today, you might need to look at your own life and see if you’re “dead while alive.” You need to start doing something for yourself, so you can then do something for others.
3. Arise. Jesus invites you to get up and rejoin life. Stop dying over things from the past and stop watching life pass you by without taking action. Get up, because there are people who need you, and most of all, because as long as your heart is beating, there is an opportunity to live. There is always another chance.
Remember, something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
