Luke 7.12-15: The widow of Nain

[Baroness]

Well, I was just sitting here quietly eating my soup, and I was reading my Scripture … and read something with “new eyes”. And I wanted to share it with you! I know the story off by heart, and realise that it was Sunday's Scripture reading some weeks ago, but I guess, reading it today, my eyes were opened to a different picture …

The story: The Widow of Nain – Luke 7:12-15. You know it … Jesus was walking towards Nain, and when He came to the gate of the city, there was a funeral procession under way – the only son of a mother had died. The New Living Translation goes on to say, “When the Lord saw her (the mother), his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it … the dead boy sat up and began to talk to those around him! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.”

As I read this, the words “overflowed with compassion” really touched me. I sat there thinking to myself, “Now I know Jesus was often moved, but why was He so moved this time?” Then a thought came to mind: was he so moved because in that widow, he saw his own mother’s upcoming suffering and sorrow when her own only Son – Jesus – He Himself - was going to die the horrid death that He needed to endure? Interesting thought …

The King James Version simply says “He had compassion on her.” So, I went through the four Gospels to see how often it says that Jesus had “compassion”. (Now, I know He ALWAYS must have had compassion, but it doesn’t ALWAYS say it.) I came across 14 instances where Jesus had "compassion" on the multitudes, a blind man, a leper, possessed people … but guess what? This widow was the only woman it ever mentions Jesus was moved by and had compassion on.

Tender picture isn’t it … it made me realise (again), just how much Jesus really loved His mother, and will always listen to her prayers and intercessions for us.

Joy in Christ,
Baroness

[Olympiada]

Dear Baroness,

In my priest's sermon on this Gospel he said that in today's world this woman's grief would get medicated, they would pump her full of so many drugs she would get knocked out. This ties into the thread on mental health and relationship to God. This world does not allow for grief or painful feelings. They must be covered over. This is not Orthodox. It is interesting how a Gospel can be looked at in so many different ways. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.I for one need to meditate on my priest's sermon on this Gospel. Thank God I took notes! Now I just have to find them. If I do I will post them.

Oh one other thing. I read an interesting article by Hieromonk Jonah on the Again site about the shame Mary endured as an unwed mother. That gives me a lot of strength. If you like I can post a link to the article. While I was not an unwed mother, I am choosing to endure the shame of divorce. This ties into suffering. Mary suffered immensely, and most of all at the foot of the Cross when the sword pierced her heart. Well that was degined for me as well and a sword as pierced my heart as well. Bishop Kallistos Ware also wrote an article on Mary as icon of suffering and freedom on St. Nina Quarterly. If you like I can post a link to that as well.

In Christ
Olympiada

[Trudy]

You know Olympiada, it would be wise to choose words carefully.


"...in today's world this woman's grief would get medicated, they would pump her full of so many drugs she would get knocked out.

There are people, women, in this world who suffer with grief, depression, anxiety, and a myriad of other things to such an extent they cannot manage life without it. May I humbly request you use more care in your choice of words please?

Those of us who suffer, who cannot manage life without help in many forms, be it medication, counseling, and the Sacraments of the Church, do not need to be judged like we are puppets who have medication shoved unwillingly into our bodies.

Your servant & His,
Athanasia

[Alec Lowly]

Dear Baroness,

Thank you for sharing the insight about the Widow of Nain. It's a beautiful sentiment and adds depth to the reading. I know I will remember this. This could well have been the Spirit moving in your heart.

In XC,
Alec

[Olympiada]

Dear Athanasia,

I meant what I said. Not all depression needs to be treated with medication. Therapy and the Sacraments can be enough. I will not take back my words. There is something to be said for resisting medication, for saying no, for setting an intention not to medicate, to endure, and I believe there is a grace that follows. Why there are whole web sites dedicated to not taking medication for mental illness. No, I will definitely not retract my words. And I would ask you not to imply that I am using foolish words for I am definitely not. I strongly disagree with you and that is okay for me to do. I would ask that you respect my right to strongly disagree with you.

In Christ
Olympiada

[Trudy]

Dear Olympiada,

I completely and totally respect your right to strongly disagree with anyone anytime over anything. Every individual has that right and it is not my place to try to take it away or step on it or anything else.

May I humbly suggest you go back and reread what I wrote. I asked you, in a respectful way, to choose your words carefully not retract anything.

Having said that, I am going to bow out of this thread with you for I am not interested in a debate, only in sharing helpful things across Christendom. It is Advent, preparation for the Nativity. I don't need anything or anyone else to inflame my passions, least of all a verbal joust.

With humility in Christ,
Athanasia

[Nick S.]

I don't think Olympiada meant that all forms of psychological problems should necessarily be fought without medication. I know that because of the anxiety I have, I currently need medication, otherwise I probably would not be able to finish school. I feel like God has had mercy on me by allowing me medicine. I hope real soon to start trying to bear this cross without medicine under the guidance of my spiritual father and a doctor, but I do think that it can be humbling to take medicine when you don't want to have to. These are just my thoughts.

Nick

[Olympiada]

Dear Nick,

I meant to say that those who are allowed to fight their depression without medication should be honored and supported for doing so just like those who require medication should not be ridiculed. Really we can be *so* cruel to each other. It is not necessary. The world is cruel enough. As Orthodox Christians we should love each other. I find the internet to be a harsh place. It is the medium of the written word. It helps us clarify our thoughts but libido domandi dominates the internet. It can be discouraging. And yet and still we must not put down those who have been given the grace to deal with it on their own without medication.

Oh and it occurred to me, there is a third tool to fight depression, the 12 Steps.

In Christ
Olympiada

[Vasilis Kirikos]

> . > Please pray for the repose of the soul of my brother-in-law, Nick who fell asleep in the Lord this Sunday morning., December 11, 2005

> Vasiliis >

[Boulos]

Lets consider the works of St. John Maximovitch " Life After Death" at: [LINK] (http://www.sfaturiortodoxe.ro/orthodox/orthodox_advices_life_after_death.htm#n1)

I consider it very important and linked to other relevant referances for genuity.

(Message edited by admin on 12 December, 2005)