Readings: 1st Kgs. 17:17-24; Responsorial Psalm Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13; Gal. 1:11-14A, 15ac, 16a, 17, 19; Gospel Lk. 7:11-17.
Theme: Reviving Souls: An urgent task for the Church
Dearly beloved in Christ, our first reading (1 Kgs. 17:17-24) puts before us the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, a Sidonian town whose dying son, God gave life to through the instrumentality of the prophet. This preclude prepares us for the message of the gospel (Lk. 7:11-17) wherein Jesus gives life to the only son of the widow of Nain. Before we delve into the lessons of the two stories, it is important for us to pay attention to what the widow of Zarephath told Elijah namely: “Why have you done this to me, O man of God? Have you come to me to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?”
1. The statement above is an indication that the widow felt the calamity that was befalling her family was as a result of her sins. Besides, she quickly forgot how God spared her life because and that of her son when the jar of oil did not go dry (1 Kgs. 17:14) and took to the blame game. 2. Perhaps she failed to remember that there were many widows in Israel in her days (1 Kgs. 17:8-16) who would have gladly welcomed the prophet in their houses yet God is sent Elijah to honour and bless her home with provision and protection in a Gentile territory.
3. Like the Sidonian woman, some of us wrongly attribute failure in school or business, lack of promotion, the sickness or death of a loved one to past sins. We are tied down by the guilt of the sins we have confessed - this guilt remote-controls our present and future. We end up of bitter, resentful. 4. The situation leads to self-pity and spiritual dryness. We are unable to pray or trust in God's love and mercy - in the long run, some people lose faith in the sacraments especially confession and in the power of prayers. This is, indeed, sad!
5. Another important point is that when we encounter a setback in life, we are quick to forget what the Lord has done or has been doing for us. Like the widow of Zarephath, we often fail to remember the life God gave us freely; the children and friends he gives us; the job, business or vocation he blessed us with. Do we remember the pleasant and clement whether he has blessed us with? How about the gift of our faith? When we learn to count our blessings and name them one, by one, we would be better positioned to thank God for his gifts and blessings in our lives. 6. By reviving her son, the prophet Elijah restored the widow's faith in the Yahweh the God of Israel. As a Church, what is our attitude in reviving the souls of hardened criminals, christians who are living in perpetual guilt, those who have been wounded by sin and non-christians who need to see the scripture come alive in our lives? It is our most urgent responsibility to give a new lease of life to all those whose faith needs revitalisation and resuscitation.
7. As a Church, we ought to re-dedicate ourselves to the healing ministry of the Church. Jesus gives life through the sacraments of Christian Healing - Anointing of the Sick and Confession. Pastors of souls must ensure that these sacraments are administered in love. Pastoral care includes taking care of the infirmed and vulnerable women and children in our hospitals, clinics, orphanages and Old People's Home. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states how Jesus placed a high premium the care of the sick and dying. In fact, this was a component of his ministry and life. “Christ’s compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that ‘God has visited his people’(Luke 7:16) and the Kingdom of God is close at hand.”[Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #1503].
8. Jesus' life-giving act in the gospel calls our attention to making the church, a marketer of hope. The widow of Nain and the crowd who were wailing had lost hope that the woman's only son had died. Jesus sees her tears and gives life to her son - By raising her son from the dead, Jesus did not only give her her son back, but gave her the gift of faith. That life-changing event was to teach her not to lose faith in God - we should be able to answer the question: "What can separate us from the love of God?"
9. The high points of our liturgy today include: The fact that God answers the prayers of his people through his ministers as demonstrated by prophet Elijah; he also identifies with the pain and sorrow of his people which is why he restored life to the dying son of the widow of Nain; he alo teaches us not to lose faith even in the face of want, sickness or death.
10. Our liturgy will not end without the clarion call to revive the souls of men and women who are on the brink of the grave in terms of living the christian life. Indeed, this is an urgent task for the Church- Have a great week ahead
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