Sunday C’ Lukas
(Lucas 7, 11-16)
Don’t cry!
There are times when man feels tremendous pain, or suffers a great sorrow, which reaches deeply into the bottom of his existence, and his whole being is literally and totally overwhelmed by shock. On such an occasion man isn’t simply sad or upset but is totally affected and shaken to the core. A death, or some other misfortune –even illnesses which may befall us or one of our own– comes, how shall we put it, and strikes out of the blue, just like that. Pain, sadness and unbearable heartache come uninvited.
If you find the courage not to succumb to the pain, but feel with all your being that especially at this time, there and then, the Lord wants to share the pain with you –you are not alone–, that he feels compassion for you and it’s as if he is saying to you: “Don’t cry. I am here”, only then, will you feel resurrected. This is a tangible, palpable truth. And such a resurrection is infinetely superior to the resurrection of a dead person, who rests in the coffin, as this young man. Because, we are talking about the resurrection of our soul.
Take care not to let the subtlety thereof escape you: on all occasions the Lord is merciful and full of compassion and offers us what he wants and what he can offer being God, and especially in circumstances when we think it’s not our fault. It looks like it, and that’s why we wonder: “What did we do wrong?” Why did this evel befa0ll on us?” Particularly on such occasions the Lord shows special mercy and compassion and addresses us with his word: “Don’t cry. This is all to your benefit/for your own good”. And, miracle of miracles, he resurrects us/brings us back to life.
May we constantly be resurrected, so as to reach the Kingdom of our God with life in our soul.
Transcribed talks by Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos
From: Holy Hesychasterion “The Nativity of Theotokos” Publications.
Widow Nain – C’ Lukas
