Salt of the Sound sings, Kyrie Eleison. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.

Kyrie eleison

Christe eleison

Lord have mercy, mercy on us

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 7:11-17

Soon afterwards [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

This is a very powerful story. Jesus, as so often, is surrounded by crowds, but in the noisy crowd he does not fail to spot the sadness; this sadness comes from the recognition of a woman who has lost her son, her only means of support. What do you notice about Jesus’ reaction?

Jesus tells the woman not to weep. Is he failing to understand how awful things are for her? Or is there something else going on here?

Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. Is there anything in this story that really touches your heart? Why is that?

Luke 7:11-17

Soon afterwards [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

'The word spread throughout Judaea and all the surrounding country.' As we come to the end of this prayer, imagine you are one of those spreading the word about what you have just witnessed. What would you say? You might like to talk to God about your response to all of this...

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen