Reflections on the Gospels from a Justice Perspective written for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church by members of the congregation

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Luke 7:11-17: Raising the widow's only son



Like last week's Gospel story about the healing of the centurion's slave, the story of the widow's only son shows Jesus reaching across social boundaries to help a stranger on the margins of his society. The centurion was a foreigner, a Gentile, and a representative of the detested Roman army.  The widow occupies a very low rung in a patriarchal society, and with the loss of her only son she is likely to become one of the poorest of the poor. She has no claim on Jesus's attention except her desperate circumstances. Like the centurion, however, she obviously matters to Jesus. He responds to her grief and her need, even touching the bier (although such contact with the dead makes him ritually unclean), and restores her son to life.

As people of faith, it is natural for us to value the reassurance in stories like these, which demonstrate the great compassion and healing power of our Lord. But we are called to follow His example, not just accept His promises on behalf of ourselves and those we love. Since he recognized the human dignity and worth of the centurion, are we called to extend our respectful attention to immigrants, people of other religions, and others who "do not belong" in our community? Since he saw and responded to the widow's desperation, are we called to be attentive to the needs of our least powerful neighbors, and do what we can to stand in solidarity with them?

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