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When the Divine Saviour saw the bereaved mother, He was moved with compassion and said to her: “Weep not”[1]. Then coming near He made a sign to the bearers to stop, and touching the bier, He said: “Young man, I say to thee, arise!” Forthwith the young man sat up, and began to speak[2]. Then Jesus gave him[3] to his mother. And all who witnessed this great miracle were afraid, and glorified God, saying: “A great prophet[4] is risen up among us and God hath visited[5] His people.”
COMMENTARY.
The Omnipotence of our Lord. In the last chapter we heard how Jesus cured a man who was at the very gates of death. In this chapter,
- ↑ Weep not. “What!” she might well have said, “am I, the mother, not to weep, when my only child is being borne to the grave?” It would, indeed, have sounded like irony, if any one else had forbidden a mother to weep under those circumstances, but there was a something that made her pause. He who said to her: “Weep not!” came from the north, accompanied by a great crowd which was gazing on Him with reverence; and there was something in the tone of His Voice which brought comfort to her heart! Could this be the great Prophet of whose miracles at Capharnaum she had heard?
- ↑ Began to speak. A proof that his soul had returned to his body. What did he say? He had awakened, finding himself stretched on a bier! He saw the bearers and the accompanying crowd clad in garments of mourning. All is plain to him now! The funeral procession is his own! He has been dead, and is alive again! In front of him stands a Man of divine dignity, at whom everyone is gazing with wonderment. It must be He who has called him back to life! May we not take it for granted that he threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him?
- ↑ Gave him. She was speechless with amazement. Her son seemed to be alive again; and yet she knew not if she were dreaming or awake! But Jesus took the risen man, and, leading him up to her, gave him to her. Then tears of joy flowed from her eyes. She pressed her restored son to her heart and could not And words wherewith to thank Him who had given him back to her.
- ↑ A great prophet. The great prophets Elias and Eliseus had restored the dead to life, and therefore, seeing that our Lord called back men from the dead, they judged that He also was a great Prophet.
- ↑ Visited. God hath been gracious to His chosen people by sending among them this great and wonder-working Prophet.
