First Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27-31
Gospel - Luke 7:11-17
The first reading speaks about unity in diversity. Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth to reject divisive mentalities based on material possessions, envy, or jealousy. He further instructs them that through baptism and the sharing of the Eucharist, we are all united to form a single body with Christ. Therefore, any form of discrimination or disparity should be eliminated. However, Paul doesn’t stop there but elaborates on the distinctive roles of everyone as members of the same body. He affirms the diversity of personalities and ministries in the Church, acknowledging that the roles of apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, and multilingual individuals are meant for the well-being of the Church. Hence, each person should aspire for higher gifts from God and avoid being envious of the gifts of others.
The gospel passage brings us the scene of Jesus raising the son of a widow in the town of Nain. At first glance, this episode seems like a simple incident, but it is filled with messages of hope and compassion. What stands out are the phrases, "the only son" and "she was a widow." The sentence reads, "the only son of the widow was dead." This incident must have caused overwhelming grief for the widow because her only hope was gone with her only son. In biblical times, a widow was particularly vulnerable, as a married woman was greatly supported by her husband, and after his death, by her son. The loss of both left her in a desperate situation for survival. Jesus observes the intense pain and frustration of the widow, and He is filled with pity and compassion for her. He raises her son to life and hands him back to her. This miracle leads the people to believe in Jesus as a prophet, a sign of hope—a voice of God and a voice for the people to God.
Dear friends, our God is a merciful and compassionate God. Out of His mercy, He has blessed us with many gifts and blessings. Out of His mercy, He has given us hope to trust in Him. We must remember today that our gifts and blessings are meant to give praise to God by using them for the betterment of the Church. In the first reading, Paul reminds the Christians that they are all one body in Christ, with different gifts to sustain unity and celebrate the richness of diversity as one body. Therefore, the gifts we possess should be used for the service of unity, not for the promotion of personal pride.
The second lesson from the gospel is that we should not lose hope. God is indeed merciful and never abandons us to despair. Jesus, upon recognizing the pain and pitiful condition of the widow, helps her and restores her hope. The people, too, recognized a ray of hope in Jesus. Therefore, we must also trust that God sees our pain and sorrow and will never leave us alone. Let us trust in His mercy.
May God grant us the strength to call upon Him in our trials and difficulties.
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