Gospel: Luke 7: 11-17
In today's Gospel portion, Jesus is moved with compassion for a widow who has lost her only son. Jesus knows the plight of widows - the need they have of support. The loss of this son means this woman is utterly destitute and without support or legal protection. Yes, the Law is supposed to require the community to care for widows, but the fact that Jesus intercedes so often for them indicates they are not. He restores the life of this young man so that this woman might be provided for.
In our own day we have groups of Christians equally indifferent to the plight of the vulnerable. On the one hand, some Christians scoff at charity and insist on justice and social structures to meet these needs, ignoring the fact that such already exists here. On the other hand, another group of Christians would blame the victim, suggesting the woman deserves what she gets because of sin. Neither group would lift a finger to help this woman.
Our task is to be like Jesus, not like Christians. We are to provide for the needs of the vulnerable and downtrodden. We are to extend mercy to all in need: to offer food and drink, to visit the sick and imprisoned, to shelter the homeless, to clothe the naked, to welcome the stranger, to care for widows and orphans. This is religion pure and undefiled before God.
No comments:
Post a Comment