Catechism Links[1]
CCC 646, 994: in raising the dead Christ announces his own Resurrection
CCC 1681: Christian meaning of death associated with the Resurrection
CCC 2583: Elijah and the widow
CCC 2637: Christ frees creation from sin and death
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| “The Triumph of Virtue over Vice” by Paolo Veronese, 1554-56 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Kings 17:17-24
Commentary on 1 Kgs 17:17-24
The story of the raising of the widow of Zarephath’s son stands as a second major proof of Elijah’s status as a great prophet (the first being the rescue of this same widow and her son from famine by causing their food to be extended (1 Kings 17:10-16), parallel to the miracle of the loaves). When the widow’s son dies, she believes it is a punishment from God, as these types of events were understood at the time. She blames the presence of Elijah, focusing attention on the presence of the Prophet.
Elijah takes this opportunity to demonstrate God’s mercy and consolation. He prays three times over the boy, the first of his prayers to God (CCC 2583). We note the significance of this numeric reference, which according to Hebrew numerology would have indicated his most earnest prayer to the Father. In response to this prayer, God restores life to the boy. For her part the widow provides validation to Elijah saying: “Now indeed I know that you are a man of God. The word of the LORD comes truly from your mouth.”
CCC: 1 Kgs 17:7-24 2583
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Commentary on Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
Psalm 30 is an individual hymn of praise. In this selection we find the singer praising God for deliverance. In the second part, others are asked to join in the hymn, and then a return to thanks and praise in the final strophe. The image of the resurrection is clearly evident in the first strophe: “O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.”
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Reading 2: Galatians 1:11-19
Commentary on Gal 1:11-19
St. Paul continues the defense of his authority, which has been challenged by other evangelists who came after him to the churches of Galatia. The apostle begins this passage with a short history about his own formation in Judaism. He goes further, relating how he was once the inquisitor assigned to persecute the Christians on behalf of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (recall it was young Saul who authorized the stoning of St. Stephen, see Acts 7:58 – 8:3).
St. Paul importantly mentions: “when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace,” a clear reference to his parents presenting him at the temple, and dedicating him according to Prophetic Tradition. God’s action in setting him apart correlates directly with Jesus, the Son of God, being presented in the same way.
St. Paul goes on to describe his early ministry, where he was directed by Jesus in his call, without consultation to the Apostles in Jerusalem, whom he only met briefly after three years of Christian ministry. The time frame mentioned here is likely imprecise, but underscores St. Paul’s “Gospel” as being authorized and approved by St. Peter.
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Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
Commentary on Lk 7:11-17
St. Luke’s Gospel continues the description of Jesus’ ministry. Just prior to this event, Jesus healed the Centurion’s servant. He now demonstrates his power over sin and death as he raises the widow’s son from the dead. “Jesus' power over death prepares for his reply to John's disciples in Luke 7:22: "the dead are raised." This resuscitation, in alluding to the Prophet Elijah's resurrection of the only son of a widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-24), leads to the reaction of the crowd: ‘A great prophet has arisen in our midst’” (Luke 7:16).[5]
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Reflection:
Today more than in any time in recent memory, our faith is being challenged. It is challenged by the secular media which has elected to establish moral relativism (that is the idea that, what may be moral for some, is not dependent upon any base line moral code). Our faith is being challenged by radical Islam across the globe with violence being carried out or attempted on virtually every continent . It is even being challenged in the United States by our own government, whose representatives have chosen to ignore the deep and abiding faith that guided our founding fathers in favor of a social order bereft of any semblance of Christian values and morals.
Into this vast array of challenges and persecutions comes a reminder from sacred scripture that we are called to believe in one who came into the world that we might find light in the darkness, and who would lead us to life from death. We hear two stories today that operate in parallel, the first from the First Book of Kings, and the second from St. Luke’s Gospel. In the first, Elijah, the great prophet of the Hebrew peoples, prays for the life of the son of a widow, to whom he was sent by God. There is no doubt that the people of that time thought Elijah had raised the woman’s dead son back to life. There may even be those in our time who have not considered what truly happened. But as we see, God answers Elijah’s prayer restoring life to one thought dead. Only the God who is the author of life has this power.
In the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus is in roughly the same situation. While he is not staying with a widow as Elijah was, he encounters one whose only son has died. In Jesus’ case, because he is also in essence God, he needs only call out to the dead son. The author of life again gives life where death had removed it.
The stories of God’s desire for life should give us great hope. We have placed our trust in Jesus Christ. Raising the widow’s son is a reminder of the great power and love he has for his people, and we need to put all our trust in him. Does that mean, when we are faced with immoral acts offered by the media, the government, or other groups who profess hate rather than love, we should just drop to our knees in prayer? No, God gave us gifts to combat these forces. He gave us intellect to understand and resources, spiritual, material, and mental, to be used to bring his Kingdom to earth.
We are reminded once more of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s great quote: “We must pray as if it is all up to God, but work as if it is all up to us.” Our faith is not meant to be passive. Each of us is called to do all we can to promote love of God and love of each other. We are reminded daily of how difficult and unpopular that may be. Today we are reminded once more that we are not alone in our struggle, and the Triune God who works with us can literally raise the dead.
Pax
In other years on this date: Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[3] The Picture is “The Triumph of Virtue over Vice” by Paolo Veronese, 1554-56
[5] See NAB footnote on Luke 7:11ff
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