I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE! ~ CookingFood.Org

“SEEDS OF LIFE”

Sunday, 5th June 2016.

Tenth Week of Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 17: 17-24;

Ps 29: 2, 4-6, 11-13;

Gal 1: 11-19;

Lk7: 11-17

I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE!

Today’s Liturgy focuses on God and his incarnate Son, Jesus, as the source of life. In the First Reading we see Elijah, through prayer at Zarephath, brings back the widows son to life. In the Gospel we see Jesus bring back to life the son of the widow of Nain.

Today’s scene is particularly sad, especially for a widow who has already lost her husband. The loss of her son would mean her to become a unwanted in society. Jesus is deeply moved at her plight. Jesus (Luke refers to Jesus as “Lord”, first time in this Gospel a title reserved for God alone.) approaches the coffin carrying the dead man, tells the bearers to stop and then simply orders the young man to rise up. The word “rise up” is the same as that used to describe the resurrection of Jesus. “I have come that they may have life.”

The reaction of the people around is one of awe and admiration. “A great prophet has risen among us and God has visited his people.” They had no doubts about the origin of what they had seen taking place; it was the work of God. Not surprisingly, the story spread like wildfire all through Judea and beyond. In calling Jesus a prophet, the people were perhaps thinking of another great prophet, Elijah, who also gave a son back to a grieving widow.

However, Elijah differs from Jesus. Elijah goes through an elaborate ritual and prays to God to bring life back to the boy. Jesus, on the other hand, prays to no one. He speaks words of comfort to the woman and then simply orders the boy to get up. Elijah is a prophet of the Lord; Jesus is Lord, he is the Resurrection and the Life.

Most of us too are dead. Just like the crowd was carrying the boy’s body out of the city, we too are walking away from the Kingdom of God. Yet, Jesus brings the kingdom of God to us. He walks towards us, touches us and brings us back to life eternal. St Irenaeus is often quoted: “The glory of God is a person fully alive.”Perhaps today we should reflect a little on just how fully we are living our lives. Jesus promised to give us life, life in great abundance. It is there for the asking. This Holy Year of Mercy is an apt time to surrender to God’s Mercy and turn towards his merciful embrace.

Prayer: Lord, May I rise from all the dark areas of my life to experience eternal joy in You. Amen.