tragic circumstances
"As He approached the gate of the town a dead man was being carried out, the only son of a widowed mother." —Luke 7:12
The mother of the dead child was literally all alone. She was widowed, and this boy was her only son. Here we have a combination of sudden, tragic events in the pattern of Job. Is there any hope under these dreadful circumstances?
Yes! Jesus has conquered death; He is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25). He is "moved with pity" and says: "Do not cry" (Lk 7:13). Jesus will either raise the dead to continue life on earth, or better, raise the dead to the perfect happiness of His presence in heaven. Jesus will either say: "Young man, I bid you get up" (Lk 7:14), or "This day you will be with Me in paradise" (Lk 23:43). Only Jesus can wipe away our tears. "He comforts us in all our afflictions" (2 Cor 1:4). He alone can make life worth living — and death worth dying. Nothing is impossible with Him (Lk 1:37). He can turn even tragic events to the good for those who love Him (Rm 8:28). Jesus our Life! Jesus our Hope! Jesus our Lord!
Prayer: Jesus, give supernatural consolation to those who have suffered tragic deaths in their families.
Promise: "They must hold fast to the divinely revealed faith with a clear conscience." —1 Tm 3:9
Praise: Matt and Martha were reconciled after a six-year separation.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, February 13, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 20, 2001