An important piece of today's Gospel (LK 7:11-17) which goes unnoticed, is that this son is the child of a widow. In Jewish society, at the time of Jesus, a woman's social status is dependant on her husband, or some other male in the family. So the loss of her son is devastating enough, but now she will live in poverty. So Jesus' compassion and pity is multi fold.
Throughout the mission and ministry of Jesus we see him restoring men and woman (and children) to life and wholeness. This is commensurate with his mission statement whereas he quotes from Isaiah, "...Bring glad tidings to the poor, and release to prisoners... ." Jesus does not fear death, sickness, or oppression, but transformation into the lives of the broken and afraid. in all of the Gospels we see a Jesus who not only has compassion towards the sick and suffering, but is troubled and angered at death and injustice.
The creation story points to a God who makes all things in beauty and wonder. Gazing upon creation God proclaims all being to be 'God.' Jesus knows that we are not made for Sin and death, but for full communion with God. Jesus stops the coffin and commands the young man to rise. An encounter with Jesus always brings about newness of life. Just as he commands demons to release their grip, and paralytics to stand up, pick up their mat, and walk.
Knowing that Jesus is in our midst our faith communities take up the mission of offering new life to people. So we support and encourage those who have lost loved ones, suffering from disease, and struggling with issues of unemployment. We are Church when we gather people who suffer from addictions, and support the young and the old. Today we continue to be called to halt the 'coffins' in this the culture of death, and offer a vision of light, happiness, and peace. Where our brothers or sisters seem to be dead, in Jesus' name we command them to arise.
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