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.
An unexpected encounter. "Do you remember me?" asked the forty-something single woman to a former classmate. A bit confused, the mother of four looked up at her and with honest hesitation said, "You look familiar. Do I know you?"
"Of course you do. You beat the crap out of me when we were in middle school."
In disbelief and with her children standing next to her, it only took a few seconds for her mind to travel back to that awful day when she repeatedly struck an awkward and shy girl in the school's parking lot. "You're...?? I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
She just stood there, frozen, with her children next to her.
The woman who came up to her slowly walked away, satisfied, thinking to herself how sweet revenge can be.
But with the passing of the years, her wounds have not healed. The scares still remain and resentment continues to linger.
Unfortunately this young lady is not alone, and there are many stories similar to hers.
Years after being bullied, these adults still have a hard time making friends and getting along with family members. Drugs and alcohol are a significant part of their lives. They continue to remain suspicious of others. Trust is something that is hard to grasp. Relationships always seem to end abruptly and badly. They doesn't like to be alone. They seek constant attention. Their self-esteem remains in the pits.
But maybe, just maybe, these unexpected encounters were a lost opportunity for healing.
In yesterday's meditation I reflected on faith, and how our faith in God allows us to get the most out of life. From today's Gospel passage, this truth is more evident to me than ever before. Faith in God truly allows us to get the most out of life, especially in life's unexpected encounters.
A divine encounter. A widow lost her only son. She had plenty of reasons to worry; plenty of reasons to be afraid; plenty of reasons to be resentful. Why is this happening to me? What did I do wrong? But these prayers of hers for divine intervention were about to be answered, and in way she never expected.
Out of nowhere the Lord appeared on the scene. At least, this is what it seemed like to those gathered around the coffin of a young man and focused on the wailing of a poor window. But people and things just don't pop into existence. They appear for a reason. From another dimension, one not limited to physical constraints, the Lord had seen this woman. He knew her thoughts. He saw her heart and heard her cries. He told her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin and said, "Young man, I tell you arise!"
He sat up and began to speak.
Fear seized them all, except the woman. She was too busy thanking God and hugging and kissing her son. She was not about to let this moment slip away.
Faith in God doesn't necessarily mean that the dead will rise before us! Second chances are not what the Lord is all about. Rather, we must awaken from our daily slumber (coma) of indifference and strive to do the will of God, especially in those unexpected encounters the Lord so graciously provides. That is how we will get the most out of life, and get it the first time around.
'Faith in God doesn't mean that the dead will rise before us'. Seen God (Lord) doesn't mean we meet him physically. Indeed we always embrace,meet Him in different encounters of life.
ReplyDeleteThis sends me back to ; John 21:1-13 The disciple whom Jesus loved (John) recognizing something miraculous was happening, said, "It is the Lord!" - Miraculous catch of fish.When do we recognize Jesus? His power? His presence among us? and of all His divine intervention in our daily encounters more so sufferings? He intervened the so to be hopeless life of Nain Woman. May we also allow Him to intervene what we feel is troubling us? Be blessed all.
I call the girl who bullied me in college one of my soul mates. She was so manipulative, selfish and our values were on opposite ends of the spectrum. So why did I stay friends with her? I was determined to love her until the end! She was one of the most intuitive persons I had ever met. She could paint by sight, play the piano by ear, and she did have a certain insight about other people that intrigued me. She didn't like religion in general so we had many ‘encounters’. But as our friendship continued, I began to understand the verse: Jesus gave His own life, by His own free will. The Pharisees thought that they had the power. But really, it was Jesus who used His own power, Love, even though it was for an ‘invisible’ reason. I used our friendship so as to consciously form my will into one like Jesus. She tried to manipulate me, and many times she was successful. But the few times that I could ‘let’ her manipulate me by my giving of my will freely, I knew that God had given me extra graces to overcome those situations….. only in Love. It was a tremendous feeling! The consequences were the same (i.e. I did what she wanted to do as long as it was not sin), but it was my soul that was being transformed ‘invisibly’.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to be friends. Time does not allow much communication with her, but when I do see her, I live more consciously. I am more aware of the Jesus in her that I am trying to Love.
So this bully granted me a great opportunity to grow. I am still so very grateful for our relationship even though I don’t think she has changed much. Every encounter with another person is the Love of God for me individually!!! ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’ people: it doesn't matter. Every one of them is a gift for me from the One who gives us His Love so I can give it to others. He is the One who transforms my soul.
Thought provoking meditation Father.
p.s. This is a great picture (like 'most' of your meditations) :)
Trust. That's all I can come up with - he doesn'trust me. Apologies and explanations don't work -I don't know what else I can do. If God knows how many hairs are on my head He definitely knows who He intentionally brings into my life. The instant I met him I knew something had changed in me. There is no question that he is a gift for me. I don't take big risks but this relationship has always reminded me of the parable of the talents where a man buried his talent b/c he was afraid. I am afraid. But I know for a fact that God has given me something that I have prayed for for a very long time. I just never thought it would really happen.
ReplyDeleteSo my question is: what else can I do to build this trust? What would you do Father?.