Do Not Weep



Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.  As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.  A large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep."
-Luke 7:11-17


After reading this gospel passage, I really feel for this poor widow.  Here she is about to bury her son.  She is weeping with agony like any mother who loses a child. Yet, Jesus is standing by her and consoling her saying  "Do not weep!"  I wonder how the widow reacted when she saw Jesus raise her son out of the coffin during the funeral procession.  Was she scared, shocked, happy, sad, confused?  Did she know what was happening?  Did she quickly realize a miracle took place?  I'm sure she was so grateful to have her precious son back to life.....

Many times in my life I've wept tears uncontrollably.  It may be out of sadness, joy, or anger.  I may watch a sad movie.  I may hear of the passing of a friend or a loved one.  I may read a story on the Internet about another mass shooting like what happened at the Navy Yard in Washington.  Here Christ brings back a young man from the dead as in this gospel story.  But, then people continue to bring others TO their death.  I think it's difficult not to weep at the way our society is deteriorating with more people deciding to kill in cold blood even if "mental illness" is often the excuse. 

I wonder if Our Lord sometimes weeps when he sees how his created men and women hurt themselves and others....

I pray for all of those who have recently lost a loved one.  I pray to the Saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for us so more miracles will happen in our own day in age.

-J.