Jesus Our Life And Our Resurrection
Introduction
St Paul writes to Timothy on people fit to be ministerial leaders in the Church: bishops, priests, and deacons. He presupposes that they are from the people and close to the people, as they still were in those days. Then, aside from having some leadership qualities, they must first of all be good Christians themselves, who are credible because they live as they teach. Then their word will be as mighty as that of Christ, who could raise the dead to life.
In today’s gospel, Luke tries to tell us that the time of salvation has come, for with Jesus, the blind begin to see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and yes, the dead come back to life. With him, a new era has begun – God’s era. It is the era in which we live. Do we make it an era of resurrection and life, in which our hands that reach out raise up our neighbours above their fallenness and miseries? Do we make it an era in which we bring dead love back to life in Christ?
1 Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Beloved, this saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the Church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the Devil’s punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil’s trap. Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 101:1b-2ab, 2cd-3ab, 5, 6
R. (2) I will walk with blameless heart.
Of mercy and judgment I will sing;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
I will persevere in the way of integrity;
when will you come to me? R.
I will walk with blameless heart,
within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
any base thing. R.
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
him will I destroy.
The man of haughty eyes and puffed up heart
I will not endure. R.
My eyes are upon the faithful of the land,
that they may dwell with me.
He who walks in the way of integrity
shall be in my service. R.
Alleluia: Luke 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Commentary
The qualities of leadership in the early church are clearly specified in the pastoral episodes. Bishops were not understood in the same way as they are in the modem church. They acted as overseers for the overall conduct of the local church’s fife. Deacons assisted with pastoral dudes within the church. They were to be men above reproach, responsible in the management of their own families, who enjoyed a good reputation within the church and the broader community. They could be married only one time.
The church has long insisted on basic qualification in those called to the ministry. In the main, this has been successful; in some cases, less so. But there is no doubt that a dignified and worthy comportment enhances the cause of Christ. Where there is a lack of good conduct, the church suffers. Authorities are called to be self-controlled, kindly, gentle, and generous.
There is a lesson to be learnt in Jesus’ conduct in today’s Gospel. His heart went out to the widow who was about to bury her son. Without being asked, he takes the initiative and restores the young man’s life. It is often said that there is nothing more difficult than for a parent to bury a child. Luke detailed her state: widow, only son. That means, total genetic termination. Jesus, it would seem, understood this well. At least, his action reflects a very deep compassion and sensitivity. Most times, we wait to be consulted, begged, and appealed to like small gods before we could lift a finger of good work. Jesus challenges us…
Blessing
Paul is expecting much of the ministers of Christ, for the best way they can lead and teach the community will be as the persons they are and the way they live. Your life is the gospel many read. May the Lord give you good shepherds and may he bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!