10th Trinity August September
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| Pierre Bouillon, wikicommons |
Luke 7, 11-17
And it came to pass that on
the next day Jesus went into a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large
crowd went along with him. And as he drew near to the gate of the city, they
became aware that a dead man was being carried out—the only born son of his
mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd of people from the city
accompanied her.
And seeing her the Lord felt her suffering, and
said to her, “Weep no more.”
And approaching, he touched the coffin, and
pallbearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!”
The dead man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus
gave him to his mother. Astonishment and awe seized all who were standing
there, and they began to praise God and to glorify what was here revealed,
saying,
“A prophet powerful in spirit has been raised among
us, and God has come down to us, his people.”
Luke 7, 11-17
This is our last week before our encounter with Michael, whose
name means ‘Who is like God?’ We will be crossing one of the thresholds of the
year to meet him. And today’s reading is about crossing thresholds. A young man
in the bloom of youth, dies. Christ approaches in empathy and calls him to rise
and live. This is a picture for all of us who approach any threshold, whether
in life, in our spiritual work, or at the end of our earthly life. As we pass
through the portal, Christ approaches in empathy and bids us rise to resume the
dance of life.
Christ has promised us: I will not leave you orphaned…. When
one of His disciples asks Him, ‘But why do you show yourself to us and not to
the world?’ Christ answers, ‘Because a loveless world is a sightless world. If
you love me and treasure my words….the Father and I will be with you.’[1]
When we approach any threshold, we can be sure that our love
for Christ will draw Him magnetically to accompany us. And we may hear His
voice in the words of the poet:
I know the voice of depression
Still calls you.
I know those habits that can ruin
your life
Still send their invitations.
But you are with the Friend now
And look so much stronger.
You can stay that way
And even bloom.[2]
[1] John 14: 18-24, in The Message, The New Testament in Contemporary Language, by Eugene
Peterson
[2]
Hafiz, “Cast All Your Votes for Dancing” in I
Heard God Laughing, Renderings of Hafiz, by Daniel Ladinsky, p.15
