By: By Sharon Priester

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 9

1 Kings 17:17-24; Psalm 30:2,4,5-6,11,12,13; Galatians 1:11-19; Luke 7:11-17

A few weeks ago, the news media reported about the destruction in Moore, Okla., that was the result of a tornado. Reporters interviewed parents who were very anxious about their children, who had gone to school and were now trapped under debris. As some of the children were found, we heard the reunited families proclaiming thanks to God for the return of their child.

In both the first reading and the Gospel for this weekend, we read about widows whose sons have died. Having watched the news about Moore, I could visualize how each of these widows felt — alone, at the mercy of their neighbors and the community.

In the first reading, the widow is from Zarephath in Sidon. Earlier in 1 Kings, Elijah, a prophet, had come to Zarephath and asked the widow for some water to drink and some bread to eat. She said she could not give him water or bread because if she did, there would be nothing left, and she and her son would die. Elijah tells her not to be afraid, that the Lord would take care of her. Finally, she does as he asks.

In this weekend’s reading the widow’s son becomes ill and dies. Upset and anxious, she lashes out at Elijah. Having compassion for the widow, Elijah carries her son to the upper room where he is staying and calls out to God: “O Lord, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child.” The Lord, hearing Elijah, brings the boy back to life. Elijah brings him to his mother, who exclaims with great joy: “I know that you are a man of God. . . . The word of the Lord truly comes from your mouth.”

We encounter another widow in the Gospel. As Jesus enters the city of Nain, “a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother,” a widow. Jesus sees the widow surrounded by a crowd. Moved with pity, He says to her, “Do not weep.” He touches the man’s coffin and says, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”

When the son sat up and began to speak, Jesus gave him back to his mother. The crowd, amazed at what had just taken place, starts to glorify God, proclaiming: “God has visited his people.”

Each of these widows and the crowds around them knew that God had been revealed to them when the women’s sons were brought back to life through the actions and touch of Elijah and Jesus.

A MODEL TO FOLLOW
In the second reading, Paul addresses the Church of Galatia and shares how God had been revealed to him. Unlike the widows and the crowd that had gathered around them, Paul tells the people of Galatia that he did not receive the Good News through any miraculous acts. Instead, God set him apart in his mother’s womb, “called him through His grace” and revealed his Son, Jesus, to him. Through this revelation, he has been able to go out to others and proclaim Christ to the Gentiles.

From the beginning of time, God’s presence has been, is and will continue to be revealed to His people. The readings this weekend describe how God was revealed to the widows and the people of Sidon and Nain and how Jesus, the Son of God, was revealed to Paul.

How has God been revealed to you? Through another person? By reading or listening to Scripture? A miracle? In some other way?

Jesus said to His disciples, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:15) How will you, like the people of Moore, Okla., and the widows and people of Zarephath and Nain, share the glory of God and His deep love for us with others?

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SHARON PRIESTER has served as a parish catechist and director of religious education, Bible study leader, RCIA team member and coordinator, and regional director of religious education for the Diocese of Peoria. She is a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Bloomington.