Daily Reflections ...

In today’s Gospel we witness the heart of Christ moved deeply by compassion.  When Jesus looks upon the widow, mourning her only son, there is a sense of foreshadowing.  As his heart is touched in today’s Gospel passage he takes her son by the hand, telling him to ‘Rise!’ and then gives him to his mother.

Jesus would witness his own mother grieving as he hung upon the cross.  In that moment he would give her a son in the Apostle John.  Even in his greatest suffering he was caring for those he loved.  Today Jesus continues to be moved with compassion in the face of our griefs and trials.  He never abandons us but walks alongside us.  He also shares with us his own mother, the one who comforted him in his own grief and who also comforts us today. 

Jesus, you who are love incarnate, who walked the dusty streets, transforming them with your glance alone, look upon us and transform us with your love and tender compassion.  Touch our wounds with your nail scarred hands so that our hardened hearts may soften, and compassion may never fail to rise in us as we bear witness to the suffering in the lives around us and respond with meaningful action. Amen.

by Christine Da Costa