The Gospel for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity is from St. Luke 7:11-17. This selection contains a miracle that exemplifies our Lord's compassionate work. Jesus restores the son of a widow from the village of Nain to life. Of course, there is compassion for the young man whose life has been cut short. However, in this case, Christ's compassion seems to be focused on the woman. Her situation is especially desperate. The young man is her only son, and she is already a widow. In first-century society, her situation is especially vulnerable. A widow's loss of her son means that she is being left alone, without livelihood or protection. In compassion, our Lord uses His divine power to raise the young man and restore him to his mother.
We should also notice the crowd's reaction to this impressive miracle. Their first reaction is fear because they sense that overwhelming divine power is at work in Jesus. They merely call Him a prophet, but they sense His uniqueness. Then, they glorify God for Christ's work. Thus, although Christ's compassion is important in itself, Jesus' act of mercy points beyond itself to divine power and rule. He can even conquer death. (In this and other Gospel miracles raising the dead, the victory over death is only for a time; later, Jesus' own resurrection will be an eternal victory.)
In Jesus of Nazareth, the kingdom of God comes into the world in powerful new ways. As we notice the mercy and compassion of God in Christ, let us also notice the presence of divine power. Jesus Christ is unique. He conquers sin, death, and evil, and His divine work calls for appropriate responses. God's power and presence in Jesus Christ call for awe and praise. The divine work of Jesus Christ should lead us to gratitude and faith.
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