In the Gospel, even more than the first reading, the element of compassion is to the fore. As Jesus and His companions approach the little town of Nain, about 5 miles from Nazareth, another procession is making its way towards the city gate. It’s a funeral procession for a young man, the only son of a woman who has also lost her husband. She is alone and Jesus felt sorry for her; the meaning of the original Greek word is very strong – He is moved to the core of His being, He is filled with compassion. A few moments later, He hands over to the widow her son, now restored to life.
In restoring a dead man to life, Jesus is reminding us that His almighty power will one day work an even greater miracle for each of us – not a mere reprieve, not a mere restoration to the life wonderful beyond anything we could imagine and lasting for ever. Like everyone else we have a natural fear of death, or at least of the process of dying, but as believers we know that the risen Christ has lost none of His boundless compassion; He only waits to draw us through death into everlasting life.