[__01__] In this Gospel we read that “God has visited his people.” Also, we read that our Savior sees, recognizes, welcomes the widow of Nain.
It is certainly good news for the widow of
Nain that the Lord “sees” and “heals” her son. It is not only good news but
also surprising news.
As a widow, this
mother would have have had few rights – few guarantees – little insurance …and
no appointment.
[__02__] How do
you and I negotiate and schedule time
with doctors and other professionals?
On the one hand, we obtain referrals, and ask favors of “to get us in”, do we not?
On the other hand, in
an urgent case, we may go to the Holy Name / Valley / Hackensack Emergency Room
and wait our turn.
“Next”. “The physician will see you now.”
In both cases, the
scheduled and the unscheduled, we feel justified AFTER we have been served and
seen.
Furthermore, we would
feel rebuffed / rejected, if someone else were to go ahead of us.
The son of the widow
of Nain was just such a “someone”,
someone without a chart or history.
The widow’s son is not
selected due to visibility. Jesus sees her, recognizes the widow and her son in
their obscurity.
[__03__] The widow’s son and
Jesus (the Son of God / Son of Mary) share at least one common aspect –
obscurity, lack of brand-name recognition.
Father
Ronald Knox, in a sermon about “obscurity” and “humility” points that one of
the principal charges – legal charges – against Jesus is his obscurity.[1]
The
Pharisees and others reject our Savior, seeing no credentials, no
qualifications, no formal training.
Yet, somehow, Jesus is knowledgeable to debate with them.
Their
charge was that the Jesus had been operating a ministry without legitimacy,
without their approval.
They
arrest him. “Pontius
Pilate will see you now.”
[__04__] Earlier
this year, we witnessed – on February 11 – the resignation – the withdrawal –
of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
Choosing to resign the
papacy, Benedict XVI goes on no speaking tours, accepts no university
fellowships or honorary degrees, writes no memoir.
Indeed, we do not see
him.
Yet, Benedict lives,
praying for the church. His life continues in prayer and off camera.
[__05__] Humility would keep us all off camera and away
from the spotlight.
But,
what is humility? Father Ronald Knox
provides a useful definition and example. The widow of Nain demonstrates this
humility, putting her son first, asking nothing for herself.
Father
Knox writes that true humility is a quite different thing from “modesty ” – the
modesty which forbids us to boast, to brag, to forward it to – Twitter,
Facebook, YouTube.
True
humility is one that allows us to accept – even to desire – obscurity as Good
News.
Jesus
takes pity on the widow due to her obscurity.
Her humility brings her closer to Christ the Physician.
Our
own suffering – our own distress and anxiety – can also bring us closer his
presence. Jesus the Physican – through
our prayer - will see us now. You are
next. I am next. [__fin__]
[1]
Knox, Ronald, “The Charm of our Obscurity” Pastoral
and Occasional Sermons (1940) San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2002. pp. 221-224.
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