The resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain,
Painted by Wilhelm Kotarbinsky (1849-1921),
Oil on canvas,
Painted in 1879
© National Museum Warsaw
The resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain,
Painted by Wilhelm Kotarbinsky (1849-1921),
Oil on canvas,
Painted in 1879
© National Museum Warsaw
The resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.
Reflection on the painting
Our canvas today was painted by Polish artist Wilhelm Kotarbinsky. Son of an impoverished Polish nobleman, he went to Italy to learn how to paint, and then ended up in Russia, where he built up a very strong career in painting, based mainly in Kiev. He was a Catholic and always took great care and interest in painting huge genre scenes (our painting is 222cm. wide; 7 feet) where religious subjects were portrayed in landscapes which somehow felt familiar to the viewers, thus placing them right into the midst of the depicted events.
In the foreground we see some dead thistles. Edible thistles such as the ones shown here were known as a dish of the poor and so in painting they symbolise poverty and pain. Being a tough plant, the thistle grows everywhere other plants usually don’t. It stands for surviving where others won’t. But here in our painting the thistles are dead, reflecting the state of the son of the widow of Nain. Her son was truly dead, not just ill or sick. Both thistles and the dead son are part of the left half of the painting. By contrast, in the right half, Jesus is set against a green, healthy, fertile, grassy ground. He is resurrecting the dead man. Even the thistles on the right side of the painting show life and look much healthier. Jesus is depicted in the middle of performing his miracle… not because he was asked to, but simply because ‘he felt sorry’ for this widow.
The beauty of this story lies in Jesus' compassion towards the widow. The Lord sees us with eyes of compassion, too. Jesus once told a parable in which it is said of one of the characters that ‘he saw and had compassion’. It was the Samaritan who saw the broken Jewish person by the roadside and had compassion. The Samaritan in the story behaves in the way that Jesus behaves in real life, with compassion. His way of seeing us also calls on us to see others with his compassionate eyes.
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Had a funeral this morning, followed by a strategy meeting, we’re going to paint a mural in our community centre. I’m so admiring of so many of the comments today, thank you all for your wonderful insights.
Not very much to add. It’s a very moving painting, seems to be taking place at dawn, there are faint lights in two of the buildings. The burial would be better done in the cool of the morning, and at a time which would allow a full day of the first of the seven days of mourning. The bearers have just put down the bier, the boy is not yet restored, sorrow weighs heavily on the scene. I agree Jesus’ stance is rather stiff; in the moment of seeming to summon healing power from His Father, he seems rather set apart. Extraordinary tones and shades, the slightly monochrome feel of the left side of the painting is beautifully handled; the flora wonderfully evocative of that crisp dryness of very hot climates. Unfortunately, my phone isn’t showing the green-ness of the other side, but there are prickly pears out-lined on the hillside.
This, and the other two resurrections that Jesus performed perhaps foreshadow His own resurrection. They certainly show His supreme power over death; and we know He exercised His power over illness – mental and physical – the weather, food, wine. If His power is so wide-spread, why do we worry so much?
May he take our worries, and replace them with trust in Him.
How true Noelle. I recall we were going through a worrying time with my husband being made redundant, and us with a young infant. A friend said to me:
Are you a person of faith (what a question, I thought) Of course I am, was my reply. He then said ‘Then why are you worrying so much’ !!
We’ve had similarly difficult times, Patricia, and I was almost literally worried sick. It’s that niggling thought: am I worthy of God’s love and attention. The answer being no, but “only say the word”, and we’re back to our centurion….Hope all is well with your situation now. 🌻
Yes – when I was made redundant my wife got in a hell of a state. I said things would be ok (trusting in God) but I couldn’t tell her that as she doesn’t ‘do’ religion. And it was ok and I got a better job!
Excellent point- it is so hard sometimes though, isn’t it?
Thank you Noelle. You educate and inspire me and very often articulate what I’m thinking!
Amen!
I really like this painting. There is so much detail but the quality of the white is extraordinary! The depiction of the clothing particularly draws my attention, as well as the head-gear. The man in the sparkly conical hat is interesting and looks a little out of place. The women I think, are done particicularly well.
These are clearly Jewish people, mainly because the men have their side-locks. Jesus, too, would seem to have this style of hair though it isn’t quite so clear, and he seems to have a lighter tone too.
I think the depiction of Jesus for me is the weakest part of the painting. He seems stilted and stiff in contrast to the figures around Him, and I do not feel the compassion here, more of a remote coldness. His garment is painted very well though, and I like the detail of His prayer shawl. However, how is one supposed to look in the act of raising someone from the dead? I can see the problem the artist had in conveying this.
‘Lord, you are compassion and love. It is hard for me to feel compassion sometimes. Help me to be kinder, in thought and in deed to those around me, and those distant from me. Help me to think of others more than I do. I pray for this in your most Holy Name.’
‘Edible thistle ‘ : artichokes and cardoons. My artichokes ( where I have not got round to cutting them down) are pretty similar to those in the painting.
I’ve never been brave enough to cook one😁
‘God of mercy and compassion,have pity on me’
For me, this shows Jesus using His divine power in raising this dead man. As a teacher and story-teller He acts out of His human power. Here, as in other miracles, His
divinity is revealed, changing the rules (of physics, or chemistry, or biology) as He sees fit. He uses it lightly, always from compassion, and does not abuse His power.
Nice painting, too, with glowing colours, and a very interesting explanation of it from Fr. Patrick.
Might Jesus not also be looking ahead to the pain he would be causing his own widowed mother his death? Perhaps we see a little bit of his suffering in allowingbhervthat pain….
Wonderful insight, Louise. I hadn’t thought that, but now I do! Thankyou.
What a wonderful insight!
Never thought of this Louise but makes perfect sense. Thank you
I’m going to say something this morning that might seem heretical but I think some might understand. So much of Jesus’s life is about teaching a morality, a way of living, that enables our world and the people in it to work really well. And there are so many parables and many allegorical stories all of which fill believers with joy and enrich their lives.
But this story, and others where he restores dead people to life, cannot be read as a ‘lesson on how to live a fuller life’. We have a black and white situation where a corpse becomes a living being again. So the witnesses to this miracle didn’t need faith, they had solid proof right in front of them. Because it is so binary I would think that it might detract from the Gospels’ message rather than add to it. Did this event actually happen?
Well, I’ve said it. Does this view have any resonance with others or have I really got this wrong?
Yes , you can’t help but be hit between the eyes by the starkness of this account…the boy is dead, Jesus stops, he cares, the boy lives. The painting underlines the “binariness” (using your word, Charles!)…monochrome one side and green and alive on the other. Sometimes my heart is too sad to accommodate the living joy and power that is Christ…I want him to be simply a good teacher, small enough to fit my melancholy horizons. ‘No,’ says the Holy Spirit, ‘He is Life. Be brave, come and live it with Him’. Thanks, Charles, for your comments which have helped me see this…enjoy your day and your thinking time. I will take both outside into the rain when I go gardening this morning!
Great comment Sandy!
Yes. Great comment Sandy.
Maybe what looks binary is because it’s possible to focus on only one side of the equation: 100% God + 100% man = 100% Jesus
Very good Zeffi. A good and accurate equation.
I don’t think it heretical (but what do I know?) but comes from a place of honest doubt. There is only one thing to do with doubt and that is pray on it. We have our model, of course, in Thomas, and our comfort in the words, ‘Happy are those who have not seen, and yet believe.’ Unless, you have decided that belief isn’t for you, and therefore need no help.
I have no problem with these stories, simply because Jesus Himself is the resurrection and the life. All things lead to Him , so for me all the stories about raising people back to life pre-figure this.
We cannot know if any of the gospel events truly happened, that is where faith steps in. ‘Lord I have faith, help what little faith I have.’
Getting to know the living Jesus, and not just a man who lived and said things 2000 years ago, is the way for me.
SFG I do have faith. I’m just saying that some of the Bible stories work better for me than others which is probably true for many people. 🙂
Yes, I think that’s true. It wouldn’t be faith if we didn’t have doubts.
Well, my take on this gospel (and others like it) is simply that Christ is showing us that he overcomes death – that is the message I think. ‘All his enemies will be put under his feet and the last of these enemies is death.’
As to your question ‘did this happen’ ? As it’s not a parable, we have to say ‘yes’ don’t we? I mentioned yesterday with our wonderful centurion, for me that definitely has the ring of truth about it – it’s the way it’s told. Today, not so much. However, some people’s words articulate well and others less so – but the story behind them may be just as true.
I often think that on here – some posters are brilliant communicators, very knowledgeable, erudite. Others may say very little, or have difficulty in expressing themselves – but the truth and love of their heart is no less real, just because it’s not expressed so clearly.
😁 and I’m not even sure that I am expressing this terribly well!! Morning folks.
Thank you for digesting my comment Patricia. Yes some of us churn out words quite easily and others don’t.
What goes on inside us is what matters but if we have the gift of verbally expressing ourselves then we should use that God given gift. I once heard a violinist say that it would be almost sinful for her not to play for people. She had to use her gift from God to make people a bit happier. I thought that quite an insight.
We humans love scale. We categorise “big” miracles and “small” miracles. However each miracle is a miracle. Healing a persons sight (restoring an eye) is as big to me as restoring the dead back to life. My frustration is that God is not a slot machine. Just because I put a 10p coin in the machine and pull the handle does not give an answered prayer. For some reason I am not God!
And neither am I- we keep good company Graham!
Dear Chaz…I think it means simply this: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
My intellect, such as it is, is going to sleep, but the words “unmerited grace” come to mind. Do hope your day improved, and all the best for tomorrow. 🌻
Today in our parish and particularly in my small Midlands town here in the UK, a mission team will be going door to door on all the new housing estates inviting people to our Church, asking them if they would like prayer and taking Christ with them. This Mission in East Northants is lasting until the end of October. Today I’ve been praying for those who will be going out on the mission and thinking of Jesus entering my own little town as He did in Nain, encountering many in danger of or experiencing a spiritual deadness. Please Lord have compassion on them and raise them to new life in You, giving them back into their families to help them to flourish. I think of all the young men in this small town, all over this country and the world who need Your healing encounter and grace Lord. Please pray for the success of the Mission here, for the protection of those who are being sent out and for the Holy Spirit to go before them preparing the way. Have compassion on us Lord. Amen
Prayers for your mission.
Thank you Sandy 🙏
Amen
I add my prayers to yours sandy for Pauline’s mission. Very hard work for the missionaries.
I was once in a cafe in Yorkshire and there was a young, newly ordained vicar and his wife at the next table. I tuned into their conversation which was about how they were going to light up the town for Jesus. I thought how admirable but have you any idea of just what a massive task that is in such a secular society? I hope it went well for them….
This sounds unusual for a Catholic parish? I remember missions held in various parishes over the years, and they were always well-attended and inspirational. (sometimes cause for controversy at times too) but never involved door knocking. What committed parishioners you have!
Here in our diocese we are holding a rosary rally soon in my nearby city. I also ask for prayers for this event too.
I particularly applaud your call for prayers for young men, how much they need them in these troubled times!
I want to say as well Pauline, how much I appreciate your comments which come from a place of insight and compassion.
Saint Joseph, your example leads all men to Jesus. Intercede for all young men struggling with their faith and their purpose in life. Of all men you knew how to show Jesus to us all, through your work and commitment to your most Holy Family. Pray for us.
Yes, I would think the mission that Pauline describes might run into the problem of attracting people who are not Catholics who would then have to jump through a number of hoops before they could get really involved with her church. It sounds like more of an evangelical venture.
I think so too. Most of the Catholic missions I have attended have been aimed at lapsed and struggling Catholics- with others it is more a come and see suggestion. I am beginning to understand about the hoops- the young man I spoke about a while ago is not getting anywhere with our PP so I remain unsure of what to say to him. He seems so keen!
Yes this Mission is certainly attracting a lot of Why? What for? Door to door – really?! comments from people in our Catholic parish… but it’s true, we are out on mission to the many new houses that have been built in our area. The initiative has come from our Bishop, the wonderful Bishop David Oakley. The Mission team based at the Cathedral in Northampton have already completed one such ‘project’ in Luton and they had a lot of inspiring stories to tell.
Of course, none of us are used to this. We have had some short training by experienced folk from the Sion Community. I don’t know if I’m speaking off message here but it seems to me that this mission is pitched at those who don’t know Jesus at all. To those who are searching. It’s like an invitation to something almost pre-Catholic? The idea being to go from famine to the rich banquet of the Mass might be a bit much for some. It seems like it’s for getting people to the first stage – to have a seed sown in their hearts, to encounter Jesus for the first time or in some small way that will hopefully grow. Also to inspire lapsed Catholics in some way?
Personally I am quite excited by the prospect of even one person getting to know Jesus. I will be going to door to door as soon as I am able – shall I report back?! Myself and two others are also working on a series of arts based workshops, a children’s puppet show, a musical concert and a short Sacred Art exhibition with artwork supplied by Catholics and other Christians that is personal to their faith. It’s amateur but tender and very ‘spontaneous’ and not a bit polished but we feel inspired onwards! The idea being that these events will generate conversations that can invite people to be introduced to or reminded of God’s compassion and mercy and the plan of salvation He offers us. I’m going to try and attach our fliers so you can have a little look?
Thank you for your prayers – we need them!
We do need to and are being called by the Mission team to work on what happens next… what if they come?!
I see the poster and have read it. It’s an ecumenical venture I see which would explain the door knocking. Did you know you had a friend in Jesus!! Sorry. :). Please don’t be upset:)
It started as purely Catholic but developed into us borrowing from other churches in our area – mostly halls and spaces, I think they were as surprised as we were haha. I’m not upset Chazbo… 😊
The door knocking was the Catholic part…
Thanks for that, your flyer looks really attractive – please God you will be blessed with success. I can see the thinking – a lot of new houses and an outreach from all churches.
Our mission (October) is just for our (Catholic) parish to celebrate its centenary, so the focus is different although one similarity is that the Sion Community is also overseeing ours!
Fantastic work Pauline.. this is really what evangelisation looks like on the ground -faith in action!
In many ways it sounds similar to our mosaic. Everyone who has seen it as a direct response and it is wonderful to witness the ‘wow’! I hope in some small way we will bring people in too. What a daring but daunting initiative! The Spirit is moving I think- well done your diocese!
We are having a mission soon – our communication to others is by postcard!
Yours is much braver. God bless all those who are knocking on doors – let’s hope that ‘a man of peace’ answers.
Yes, I think that’s how we have done this in the past too.
Jesus is my Hero! I love Him! Jesus does miracles, feels sorry for people, comforts people… and comforts me! I am so glad that I read about Him, ‘know’ Him, that I am His sister and that I am am allowed to love Him.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for the miracle of my life, for your life on earth, for your love for me!
This fills me with joy and recognition! My spirit is in happy agreement with yours – thank you Rya!
And mine Pauline!
Me too.
You have woken up happy Rya. That’s great. Today in England it is quite cold and my wife has gone away to stay with her friend for a few days. I find myself with too much time to think……
Yes, I notice a chill this morning too! Autumn is on its way… have a restful day Chazbo. I think prayer or reading is the best cure for overthinking. Take care of yourself.
Multas Gratias!
Thankyou for this greeting this morning Ria! You say so much in your simple words and I know God loves you too, very much. He is compassion and love, and we must not forget this. God bless you.
I agree with Chazbo. We know you have been a bit down Rya (understandably)
Today Our Lord has lifted you up and comforted you. Wonderful – I am very happy for you x
I love this Rya than you for sharing
Humility yesterday, compassion today! These are beautiful Gospel Readings that teach us how we should live. I love how Fr Patrick says Jesus did it, not because he was asked to but basically because he wanted to, as he had compassion for the widow! I read a lovely quotation the other day that said we should be more kind than necessary! What a wonderful world it would be! 😘💐💕😇🌼
We do have a wonderful world. There still is so much love in the world! Look around for the good and lovable things people do. Let us count out blessings!
Always Ria- I have so many in my life!
Indeed it would Polly. I am going to try,