After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As 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. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favorably on his people!’ This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. Luke 7:1-17
So many folks feel fearful and defeated these days, powerless to change the present circumstances of oppression. We have seen too many people snatched from the streets, too many denied their rights, too many banned from participating in the things they love. We can feel hopeless. Yet in our Gospel today we hear Jesus raising up a young man who was physically and completely dead. The impossible made possible. We are called in times like these to be those who deepen their faith and depend on the goodness of God, who are willing to rise from what feel like death and defeat, defying the evil behavior and trusting that God will help us all rise up.
Wondrous Creator, source of life and healing
you made the sun to rise on all of creation
you provide the food so that all may thrive
and despite the tyrants, you bring justice always.
We are fearful and unwilling to rise up
we want to stay buried in our comfortable homes
we are afraid to speak our truth in the public square
for fear of the abuse and dismissal we will receive.
Lord Jesus, give us the strength to use our voices
let us rise up knowing that you empower us all
you put you heart in the outcast and the poor
and you will raise us up to renew your love in our time. Amen.
