Before getting to the miracle of Sunday’s passage, I just want to make a brief note to say how much I love the focus of the lectionary in Ordinary Time. Now that we’re liturgically in the time that is “ordinary,” the Gospel passages concentrate on Jesus’ miracles. Isn’t that beautiful? Wonders and signs are the “ordinary” parts of the Christian life.
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it for a while…
Okay, now, what about the raising of the widow’s son? First, let’s not pass too quickly from the widow. She doesn’t get to speak in this passage…but Jesus just gave her back her world. Wow!
Second, this is a very interesting miracle in what Jesus is saying about himself. Many times in the New Testament Jesus’ actions and words call for a direct comparison/contrast with the greatest of the great to Jews of his time: Moses. However, you might notice that throughout the New Testament there is a recurring phrase of the “law and the prophets.” Well, Moses definitely represents the Law, but what about the Prophets?
When we’re talking about Old Testament wonder-workers, our thoughts should immediately go to Elijah as paradigm…or maybe his disciple Elisha. Guess what? The story in Luke is first stated for Elijah and Elisha before Jesus gets to put his twist on it. Interestingly, the widow in Elijah’s version of the story actually gets to say something. Maybe the widow in Luke would say the same?
Yet, what’s different?
Elijah and Elisha have to use physical contact, but Jesus only speaks the word. In the Hebrew understanding, that’s greater power. When you can speak something into being, you hold the power of God. Essentially, this story is a biblical version of this.
Well, a little more serious version, probably 🙂
In fact, maybe, that’s why “fear” seized the people…they knew exactly what Jesus meant…do we?