Raise us to Life

Today’s Gospel Text:  Soon afterward he went to a city called Na'in, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" 17 And this report concerning him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. Luke 7:11-17

Reflection:  We constantly live in the experience of death. Yet we may not be aware of this reality unless someone points that out to us.

Some may already feel surprised and may be wondering what I am taking about here.

In fact, almost all our decisions are based on this latent experience of the power of death in ourselves. What is that ultimate fear that makes us choose in life or to make life's important decisions?

What is this fear that makes us choose the freedom or the daily pleasures of life? Even the daredevilry things we do as an affront to fear, they too seem to have the fear of death defying elements steeped in it.

The daily lies and the attitude to please people rather than confront the wrong and evil, the aspect of unrestrained indulgence in daily pleasures and wrongs, the oversleeping, over eating, greed, the absence of self-control and lack of resistance to what is evil could have its root in the ultimate fear of death. 

Life is short, subconsciously there is a lurking fear, and hence I must indulgently enjoy it.  Any opposition will meet with rebellious disapproval and even violent resistance.

On what apparently seem the better choices of life, it is evident all the more. The daily diligent physical exercises, nutritious food and the sprawling growth of the health industry, the new age holistic health offers are all aimed at a healthy prolonged life.

In other words we who love freedom and the happiness thereof, seek happiness in freedom, but in the process, never really reach that mark.This is so because we seek our freedom in the wrong things of life.

If only we realized this truth then we would not wait for the last day, the final moment of our life to change things but would strive to live our lives to the full by accepting the offer of Christ and his message..

Only Jesus who lived his life in absolute freedom, proved by his bold expressions and teachings, affirmed more firmly by his death and resurrection, can set us free from this problem of death and its implications.

Therefore he claims: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

In the Gospel text he proves it by raising the young man from the dead.

Prayer: Lord, may your life giving Spirit transform me each day as I submit to your working in my life.

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