“When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’ ” (Luke 7:13). of Tuesday September 19, 2023

This story of Jesus and the widow of Nain gives me a special kind of hope. In so many of the miracle stories, someone asks Jesus for help. This time, Jesus sees the woman and immediately acts with great compassion. She has not only lost her only son, but, as a widow, she has lost any protection in that patriarchal society. Jesus reaches out and brings her son to life.

Sometimes, with the death of a loved one, a devastating rejection, a major health crisis, life as we knew it seems over. This story tells me that it isn’t up to me to somehow get God’s attention to help me. Jesus sees me at the gate and is tenderly moving forward to bring me some form of life.