All three readings for mass today have to do with a supernatural occurrence and in all three readings the miracles occurred to show God’s true presence among His people. The miracles were for the individual that was affected, but also for the entire community that witnessed it or heard about it later.
In the first reading today, Elijah implored God with his prayers to save the widow’s son who died while he was staying with them. The young man had already died. Quite a lot of time probably passed by the time the widow complained to him that her son died while he was staying with them. Then Elijah carried him upstairs, prayed and threw himself on top of the young man three times. God in His infinite compassion brought the young man back to life and it was not through Elijah’s efforts, but only through God’s grace that life returned to his body. This event also occurred to show the widow that Elijah truly was a man of God and that God was with him. The amazing story of Elijah’s prayers bringing the dead man back to life was probably shared with others in the community who also came to believe that God truly was with Elijah and they should listen to what he told them.
In the second reading today, Paul explains about his conversion. Paul’s conversion was not his doing, it was Christ’s.Paul was persecuting Christians and in no way would have become an apostle of Christ without the miracle that occurred when he was knocked off the horse on the road to Damascus. Paul says “For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Saint Paul became the greatest evangelizer the church has ever known and Christ himself harnessed the zeal that Paul had through a miracle that convinced Paul without a doubt, that Jesus Christ truly was the son of the living God. The miracle that Jesus performed for the sake of Paul’s conversion was also for the benefit of the larger community and indeed, the world in which he lived.
The Gospel reading is similar to the Old Testament reading from Ezekiel today, in that Jesus behaves just like his Father, he is truly his Father’s son and they are so closely united in the Trinity that each seem reflect the same thoughts. Jesus had a great deal of compassion for the widow’s son. The fact the Gospel even mentions that the grieving mother was a widow, portrays the understanding of Christ’s compassion and great love for those who suffer. In fact, much of Christ’s life was dedicated to alleviating human suffering whenever he could, in minor ways and major ones as well.
When Jesus brought the dead man back to life it was a major miracle. We can not even begin to imagine the shock of all those who witnessed him rise from the coffin, let alone the absolutely beautiful transformation of the widow’s grief, to profound joy. Her joy would have been indescribable and the entire community that they lived in would have talked about this occurrence for many years afterwards. This miracle occurred because of Christ’s tender mercy, love and compassion. But, it was also to show the entire community that Jesus really was the son of the living God and that he had been given the power to raise people from the dead. This was very important to the people of that time and also to us as well, because we need not fear death when the Lord Jesus is with us. Jesus himself defeats the power of death, evil and sin and unleashes a more profoundly beautiful life than any of us can possibly imagine, both in this world and in our life to come.
The woman in the first reading today, Paul in the second reading, and the grieving widow in the Gospel reading, could not have possibly imagined the wonderful things that God had in store for them. Jesus Christ and His Father changed their darkness into light, proving to them that God exists and Jesus Christ really is the son of the living God.Christ truly does have the power to transform death, sin and spiritual blindness into faith and trust in him throughout all circumstances of our lives.
We should never doubt the Lord’s power to transform our lives and fill it with joy, with love, faith, family and friends and ever more trust in him and our eternal destiny where he awaits us at the end of our own life’s journey. When we are going through difficult times in our own lives such as grieving the loss of a loved one or coping with depression, Christ shows us that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Faith and joy will return to our lives again, as long as we continue to turn to the One who loves us through our prayers, by listening to the word of God and through the healing sacraments of our church.
