Homily: July 8-2024, Monday of the fourteenth week in Ordinary time (Raised from death)

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“My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

How could this official be so sure that just by laying hands on his daughter, Jesus could raise her to life?

I have witnessed many miraculous healings and other situations personally, but I have never personally encountered someone returning from death, though I have heard of near-death experiences.

I have anointed many dying persons and presided over many funerals of people I personally know, including my own parents and relatives. Did I ever wish and pray for them to escape death or be raised from death by Jesus?

Yes, many times. But no, they did not live.

I do believe that Jesus is the Lord of life, and He has the power to bring the dead back to life. I am certain that He can perform such miracles even today. I believe this without a doubt.

But why did He raise some but not others?

In the gospel accounts, only three death-to-life miracles were recorded: Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha; the daughter of the official in today’s gospel, and the son of the widow in Nain. Were there only three such miracles Jesus did during His public ministry, or were there more but not recorded?

It is almost certain that Jesus did not raise His foster father Joseph from his death. And none of the apostles were resurrected after their horrible deaths, none of the saints we know of have returned to life as well.

Death from this earthly life is certain. All the three people Jesus raised from death ultimately did die again. Their being raised back to earthly life was not meant to be forever.

The purpose of Jesus’ miracles, whether it was healing or raising from the dead, was to strengthen the faith of His followers. He wanted them and us, to believe in the life that awaits those who follow Him faithfully. By raising the dead, He showed His followers that He has power over life and death, including His own. He proved it with His resurrection. With Jesus’ resurrection, we can believe in eternal life.

With every passing of our loved ones, we would still mourn and grieve over our loss and separation, but at the same time, our hope in the resurrection alleviates our present sorrow. We know that Jesus will resurrect our bodies finally, that we will reunite with our loved ones again, and we will live in union with God forever and ever.

Let us ask for the grace to look towards eternal life and always live in firm anticipation of it. Let us not be concerned over longevity in this life. In God’s time we will live, will die and will rise again.

Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life, and I trust in you. 

Amen.


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