ALL SOULS DAYS
First Reading - Wisdom 3:1-9
Second Reading - Romans 5:5-11
Gospel - Luke 7:11-17
The first reading is from the book of wisdom. The reading presents a budding cosmology of later Israelites. The reading upholds that it's the righteous who are saved in the hand of God. This reading also proposes that there is life hereafter in God for those who are righteous.
The second reading from the letter to Romans instills hope in us that we are saved in Christ. It's because of Christ we are made children of God and are destined for salvation, provided we place our hope in Him.
The gospel passage brings to us the scene of the raising of the son of a widow in a town called Nain. This episode apparently appears as a simple incident but is replete with the message of hope and compassion. Primarily, what catches the attention is the occurrence of the phrase "... it happened that a dead man was being carried out for the burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." I would prefer to pick two phrases from the sentence, such as, 'the only son' and 'she was a widow'. In a complete sentence it can be read as, 'the only son of the widow was dead'. The gospel specially mentions this. This incident must have caused a devastating experience for the widow because her only hope is gone with his only son (The biblical historical senario depicts a vulnerable situation of a widow; a married woman was greatly supported by her husband and after the death of her husband if there is a son. The lose of both would result in a desparate situation for her survival). Jesus observs this intense pain and frustration of the mother or the widow. He is filled with pity and compassion for her. Consequently, he raises the son of the widow to life and hands him to her. This leads people to believe in Jesus as a prophet; a sign of hope for the people, a person who is a voice of God and a voice of people to God.
My dear friends, death is a reality that noone can escape. Death is a proof that we have to die. However, the death is not the end but assurance of a new life that continues in Christ, if we believe in him. Today's feast reminds us that neither our wealth nor our position can save us but our faith in Christ. Today's feast also reminds us that though we die in our physical body but continue to live in our spiritual body through Christ. That's why we must readily surrender our life to him, come what may.
The gospel also reminds us that Jesus knows us through and through, our struggles and pains and extends his hand to raise us up from our sorrows and pains. He did it for that certain widow. He continues to do it for us. He raised the dead man, he will also raise us to a new life. In fact, the raising of the son of the widow, is also the prefiguration of our destiny in Christ. Therefore, let's never lose hope in him, through our sorrows and pains in the present life and also for the life of resurrection in him.
Let's never be pessimistic but ever remain optimistic of our life because we have a sure hope of salvation in Christ.
.jpeg)
0 Comments