St. Volodymyr's Parish

Sunday Gospel Luke 7, 11-16

to listen sermon please click play

Today’s Gospel tells us about the resurrection of a widow’s son. Evangelist Luke emphasises that he was "the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.”

We can learn from the example of this woman that was left all alone. She was a widow and now her son had died.

It’s important for us to see, that Christ comes at the moment that no one could expect and when people are in need.

Nain is far away from the Jerusalem, one day walk from Capernaum.  It was a small city, and there probably wasn’t any reason for Jesus to go there at that time. St. Luke doesn’t tell us why Jesus went to Nain, but he tells that Christ came there with his disciples and when they come to the gate of the city they met the funeral procession. Christ had mercy, had compassion on the woman and returned her son to her.

When we look into our lives, we can see that sometimes we have moments that no one can help us. Different difficulties, problems, troubles, illness, death of loved ones; these make our lives like a wasteland. We grow weak, lose heart, faith, we say that we are alone, without anyone. But that is not true. Because Christ is always with us, He wants and can help us… and He helps if we listen to His voice.

Christ had compassion on the woman. God is merciful, "God is love.” He loves each of us and is willing to help us. But do we want His help?

Jesus "touched the bier and the bearers stood still”… Do we stop in the din of our lives, in those challenges, difficulties to look on Christ and listen to Him? Or do we continue to go and ignore Him? Very often we say that we are alone, but we can’t or don’t want to see God, who always is close to us.

When Jesus was ascending He said: "I am with you always, to the close of the age.” God is with us every moment of our lives. But do we realise this?

During Compline we sing "God is with us,” the words of the prophet Isaiah. In a special way we sing these words on Christ’s Nativity and Theophany Eves. We exult "God is with us! Give ear, O you nations…” but do we understand for ourselves, that God is with us? Are we able and wanting to see God in our lives?

God never leaves us alone, He wants to be with us and help us, to strengthen us in our lives. But do we want to be with Him every single moment of our lives?

So today, I would like to wish to all of us, that regardless of all difficulties, challenges and other bad things that happen in our lives, that we never lose our faith in God. But, conversely, at these moments we should open our eyes even wider to see our loving Father, who stands close to us and holds out His hand of help; who appeals to us saying: "I say to you, arise! I will help you arise and move on”. I wish that we listen to His voice, rise and walk with him every day of our lives, which He grants us here on earth and for ever in heaven. Amen.

Fr. Andriy Mykytyuk