Faith Daily | 14 September 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p581

O God,

without you we are not able to please you:

mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit

may in all things direct and rule our hearts;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 7: 11-17

11Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As 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. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” 15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Angela Back

The people of Nain could never have imagined what would happened in their town that day… an ordinary day, a grieving widow losing her only son, facing a grim future, the bread-winner and the head of her household no longer with her. Such funerals were no doubt commonplace. Jesus approaching the town gate saw her with a deeper perception than most. He saw her hopelessness and his heart was stirred. He touched the coffin, and his words were simple: “Young man get up.” Such compassion and such an incredible event. More wonderfully, the people surrounding these three were able to perceive the deeper meaning behind this: “God has come to help His people.” They gave glory to God.

We don’t see this sort of thing happening now. In fact, in social situations we didn’t talk about death much. It generally happened in hospitals, in clinical environments away from home. Now in Covid times, people are confronted with this reality much more. Even in Australia deaths at home are happening.

We who are followers of Jesus Christ are open to a different reality. As Charles Ringma writes:

“We want to remain upright, but we need to learn how to fall. Death is the final falling and the great standing upright.”

Jesus will always treat us with compassion, and be aware of our vulnerability. And because of the resurrection we do not grieve as those without hope. Let us treat life, and death, with respect until the final standing up, when He will welcome us home.

PS There is a healing service in our church planned for October.

FINAL PRAYER: – Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals [Angela Back]

O God of the poor and meek, form us into people who do not conform to the patterns of this world but who conform to the norms of your upside-down kingdom. Give us eyes to see You in those who suffer. Surprise us in the faces of the least of these. Move us into the margins of this world, and help us to find You there, in Your most distressing disguises. Amen.