In today’s gospel, we are told the story of a young man’s death in a town called Nain. Luke describes what happened.

Jesus “accompanied by his disciples and a large number of people was   near the gate of the town (when) it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.”

This mother is not a solitary figure mourning the loss of her only son. In fact, she was surrounded by “a considerable number of the townspeople.”

Members of our communities who lose their loved ones often draw support from the people in their hometowns. The “crowds” are seen as a visible sign of solidarity with those who mourn.

People empathise, they understand our pain and grief. We know that death is inevitable, yet when it occurs we feel powerless. A personal loss like that of this young son is sometimes even seen as a loss for an entire community.

A powerful example of this was the death of Kitchener, one of the most famous “sons” of the town of Arima. This funeral attracted a massive crowd as people from throughout the country journeyed to his hometown in Arima to bid farewell to this well-loved personality. We mourned his death as a town and as a nation.

Likewise, when the news of the death of our beloved former Archbishop, Anthony Pantin became known, glowing tributes were paid by Catholics and people of different religious backgrounds. He was perceived by many as a “man of the people”.

The death of John Paul II also touched the lives of millions around the globe. He was recognised as a religious world leader who influenced the course of human history.

When someone of this stature dies we feel this loss so deeply that we feel impoverished by it. Luke reminds us that Jesus is always present for us even in the midst of death. His presence restores our hope in the future and renews our lives.

That touching moment when Jesus speaks to the widow and tells her “do not cry” reminds us that Jesus does not stand aloof from human pain and anguish. As Christians death takes on a new significance in the light of Jesus’ own death and our faith in his resurrection.

 In recent times many of our children have died in tragic and violent ways. How do we help to restore hope and faith for those affected by the brutal death of one of its members?

I know of one friend who continues to struggle with grief, three years after the brutal murder of her father by three youths. Contact with these criminals when she attends court matters in relation to the murder, leaves her devastated each time.

How can we help people like her to come to terms with tragedies like these?

There are several pastoral implications for us to reflect on in the light of today’s gospel. Closure, or the healing process, for the living members of families affected by heinous crimes, takes much longer than death by natural causes.

Our presence at the final rites of those who have died is a sign of caring, concern and solidarity with members of our community who mourn.

Death provides the opportunity for healing rifts and divisions within families and among members of the communities. The classic liturgical expression that life is not taken away, but changed is a tremendous affirmation of our faith.

We believe, through this Gospel, that God has visited his people in these times through the faith we profess in Jesus Christ. Through us, Jesus continues to touch the lives of those who grieve. Our support, our presence, our pastoral care and concern can sustain the life within communities.
 
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this gospel story that gives us the opportunity to reflect on how Jesus continues to be present to us, especially at those tragic moment in our lives.
This gospel helps us to recognise that Jesus is with us even in our grief and pain.
Help us to remember those who hurt and who do not experience full healing because of the tragic way in which they have lost their loved ones.
We pray that we as Church will find ways in which to meet the needs of some of our members who seek guidance and counselling because of their tragic loss.
We ask you to bless all those who engage in restoring life to those we have given up as dead and waiting for burial.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Gospel Meditations for June are by Dianne Diaz, just another average, ordinary Catholic, who finds deep joy in preparing this Gospel Meditation.