Luke 7:9-15: a reflection

9When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” 10Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well. 11Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. 12Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only born son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Don’t cry.” 14He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15He who was dead sat up and began to speak. Then he gave him to his mother.

As Jesus approaches the town of Nain, he meets a funeral procession: a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she a widow. She has lost her only son, and with him her last support and comfort. And notice what moves Jesus: When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, Don't cry. He was moved with compassion for the grieving widow; and then, unasked, he touched the coffin, raised her son, and gave him back to her. No one had asked him; his compassion for the grieving woman moved him to act.

Notice what moved Jesus: compassion for the grieving widow. She had not come to ask him for anything; she was simply carrying her dead son to burial, overwhelmed with grief. But when Jesus saw her, he was moved with compassion; her grief touched his heart, and unasked, he acted to comfort her, raising her son and giving him back. His compassion was not summoned by a request; it rose in him at the sight of her grief, and moved him to act on her behalf. He saw the grieving woman, and his heart went out to her.

That compassion of Christ for the grieving is worth resting in, for we too grieve, and Christ's heart goes out to us. When we are overwhelmed with grief, we can feel alone, unseen; but Christ sees the grieving, and his heart is moved with compassion, as it was moved for the widow of Nain. Christ is not indifferent to your grief; he sees it, and his heart goes out to you in compassion, as it went out to the grieving widow. When you grieve, do not imagine that Christ is unmoved or distant; he sees the grieving with compassion, and his heart is moved for them, as he was moved for the widow and, unasked, comforted her. Rest in the compassion of Christ, who sees your grief and is moved by it, as he saw the widow of Nain and had compassion on her; his heart goes out to the grieving, and he is near to those who mourn.

Lord Jesus, as you approach the town of Nain, you meet a funeral procession: a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she a widow. She has lost her only son, and with him her last support and comfort. And notice what moves you: when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, don't cry. You were moved with compassion for the grieving widow; and then, unasked, you touched the coffin, raised her son, and gave him back to her. No one had asked you; your compassion moved you to act. Show me what moved you: compassion for the grieving widow. She had not come to ask you for anything; she was simply carrying her dead son to burial. But when you saw her, you were moved with compassion; her grief touched your heart, and unasked, you acted to comfort her. Your compassion was not summoned by a request; it rose in you at the sight of her grief. Let me rest in that compassion for the grieving, for I too grieve, and your heart goes out to me. When I am overwhelmed with grief, I can feel alone, unseen; but you see the grieving, and your heart is moved with compassion, as it was for the widow of Nain. You are not indifferent to my grief; you see it, and your heart goes out to me. When I grieve, keep me from imagining that you are unmoved or distant; you see the grieving with compassion. Help me rest in your compassion, Lord, who sees my grief and is moved by it, as you saw the widow of Nain and had compassion on her.