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.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Eat and Live

Scripture/Bible: Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67 Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."  John 6:60-70

Reflection:  Indeed, they have heard his many hard sayings before, but none was as hard to believe as this; eating his body and drinking his blood.  

The hard saying arose because of a dour situation. Humanity was in need of a savior to escape the viciousness of the powers and pulls of death on account of the reign of sin.(Rm. 7:14ff)

The fear of death brings with it its own moral decadence. Life is short and needs to be enjoyed at whatever cost. One has to create a name and thus seek power and glory and create a name so as to live in the hearts of people or family for eternity. Lies and deception are options for self protection and survival, therefore loot steel, rob, murder, etc etc.

To love means to please where convenient and kill either by words or action when the other is a threat to our aspirations and existence. 

The hard saying of Jesus, flowing from his hard decision to save mankind, is the perfect statement he has made. Thus he gives life to mortal bodies and makes them immortal.

He does this by offering his body and blood as a ransom for the life of the world and this cannot be compromised.

How is this actualized in our midst? Just as the incarnate and eternal word became man and dwelt amongst us, likewise he has given the Church the authority to speak the word that is able to actualize the Holy presence as Body and Blood, soul and divinity of our dearly beloved Lord.


As alter Christus (another Christ), the priest speaks to the bread and wine. 

Prayer: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us