Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost The Gospel Luc. 7. v. 11.Tuesday Meditation: A Plaine Path-way To Heaven Thomas Hill 1634
GOSPEL ¤ Luke 7. 11-16
At that time, Jesus went into a city called Naim: and there went with Him His disciples, and a great multitude. And when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and much people of the city were with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said to her: Weep not. And He came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it, stood still. And He said: Young man, I say to thee, Arise. And he that was dead, sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God, saying: A great Prophet is risen up amongst us, and God hath visited His people.
Tuesday Meditation
This widow was much to be pittied and comforted, because she was a widow, because she hast lost her son, because she had no more to comfort, and succor her in her old age.
Christ was moved at it with pity at his heart, and being moved with pity, as the Text saith, he did comfort her first with sweet & comfortable words, saying: Do not weep, as if he had said he came to raise her son from death, and then he did comfort her in fact or deed, raising him from death, and giving him to her again, as Lord and Master of life and death; that as Job said when God had taken away his wealth and children: The Lord (or Master) of all things gave them me, and the Lord, or Master, hath taken them away again, our Lord be blessed.
So this widow might say, with a great deal of comfort, Our Lord or Master took my son from me, and our Lord or Master hath given him me again; our Lords name, be blessed forever.
Hereby we are instructed to comfort the afflicted, by pity & compassion of heart, by fair and sweet words, & real works, as Christ did here join all three together: fair words and compassion of heart comforteth much, if we be not able in deeds.
If we be able in deeds & do it not, but only give fair words, it doth rather discomfort then comfort them, if they know we be able, thinking we dissemble or delude them.
If a brother or a sister (sayth St. James) he meaneth a brother or Sister in Christianity, want clothes or food, and a man that hath wherewithal say unto them,
Go in peace, be yee warmed, or fed, good words) and do not give them necessaries, what doth it profit?
If good words without deeds do not profit, what do ill words without deeds, or letting the poor stand crying and calling at our gates, without alms, or answer?
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