Embracing Mercy: The Compassion of God and Mothers

Devotional

Day 1: The Compassion of Jesus Moves Him to Act

Jesus is moved with deep compassion when He sees the suffering of the widow at Nain, whose only son has died, and He responds not because anyone asks, but because His heart cannot resist the tears of a grieving mother. This moment reveals the tender heart of God, who is attentive to our pain even when we do not have the words or faith to ask for help. The Lord’s mercy is not limited by our requests or our worthiness; rather, He acts out of His own loving nature, bringing hope and restoration where there is only loss and despair. [07:55]

Luke 7:11-17 (ESV)
"11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has arisen among us!' and 'God has visited his people!' 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country."

Reflection: When have you experienced God’s compassion in a moment when you didn’t even know how to pray for help? How might you trust Him with your unspoken sorrows today?

Day 2: The Power of a Mother’s Tears and Intercession

The tears and prayers of mothers have a unique power to move the heart of God, as seen in the raising of the widow’s son and in the intercession of Mary, our spiritual mother, whose compassion continues to bring hope and new life to her children. Even when faith seems absent or hope is lost, the loving intercession of a mother can open the way for God’s mercy to act in miraculous ways. Many have been brought back from spiritual or even physical death because of the persistent, heartfelt prayers of their mothers, reminding us of the strength and hope found in a mother’s love. [12:05]

John 19:26-27 (ESV)
"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' 27 Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life for whom you can pray with the persistence and love of a mother today? How can you entrust them to God’s mercy, even if hope seems lost?

Day 3: Welcoming Back the Fallen with Mercy and Penance

Saints Cornelius and Cyprian teach us the importance of welcoming back those who have fallen away from the faith, not with condemnation, but with mercy and a call to penance, reflecting the heart of Christ who seeks to restore and heal. The early Church faced the challenge of what to do with those who denied their faith under persecution, and these saints advocated for reconciliation and a path back to communion, showing that God’s mercy is always greater than our failures. This approach calls us to be a community that forgives, supports, and encourages repentance, trusting in God’s power to renew every heart. [02:20]

2 Corinthians 2:6-8 (ESV)
"For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him."

Reflection: Is there someone you know who needs to be welcomed back with mercy rather than judgment? What step can you take today to offer forgiveness or encouragement to someone returning to faith?

Day 4: The Unity and Strength of the Church in Trials

The Church is called to unity and steadfastness, especially in times of trial and persecution, drawing strength from the example of the saints and from the Holy Spirit who binds us together in love and faith. Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, as shepherds and martyrs, spent themselves for the unity of the Church, reminding us that our witness is most powerful when we are united in purpose and charity. In every age, God gives His people the grace to endure, to remain faithful, and to support one another, so that together we may reflect His glory to the world. [17:10]

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: What is one way you can help build unity and encouragement in your church community this week, especially for those who are struggling?

Day 5: Hope in God’s Mercy, Not in Our Own Goodness

Our hope for ourselves and for the world does not rest on our own goodness or even our faith, but on the boundless mercy of God, who acts out of love and compassion for His people. Even when we feel unworthy or powerless, God’s heart is moved to save, restore, and bring new life, as seen in the Gospel and in the lives of the saints. This truth invites us to place our confidence not in our own efforts, but in the loving mercy of God, who is always ready to act for our good. [13:21]

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)
"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop relying on your own goodness and instead trust in God’s mercy? How can you surrender this to Him in prayer today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we remember Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, shepherds and martyrs who led the Church during times of great persecution. Their example teaches us about mercy and unity, especially in how they advocated for the reconciliation of those who had denied their faith under threat, welcoming them back with a spirit of penance and forgiveness. This spirit of mercy is echoed in the Gospel reading from Luke, where Jesus encounters a widow mourning her only son. Without being asked, Jesus is moved by her tears and raises her son from the dead, revealing the depth of God’s compassion.

This moment in the Gospel is unique because neither the widow nor the crowd asks Jesus for a miracle. The young man is dead, beyond hope in the eyes of all present. Yet, it is the silent suffering of the mother that moves Jesus to act. This reveals something profound about the heart of God: He is not only attentive to our faith and our prayers, but also to our pain and our tears, especially those of a mother. The Gospel draws a parallel between the widow and Mary, the mother of Jesus, who also suffered the loss of her only son. In giving Mary to us as our mother, Jesus assures us of the power of her intercession and the hope that springs from her compassion.

Many of us have experienced spiritual resurrection, perhaps more often than we realize, through the prayers and tears of our mothers or spiritual mothers. The hope for the world does not rest on our own goodness or even our faith, but on the merciful heart of God, who is moved by love and compassion. As we reflect on the lives of the martyrs and the miracle at Nain, we are invited to trust in God’s mercy, to persevere in prayer, and to be steadfast in unity and charity, knowing that God’s heart is always open to us.

Key Takeaways

1. Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment Saints Cornelius and Cyprian remind us that the Church is called to be a place of mercy, not exclusion. Even those who have denied their faith can be welcomed back through repentance and penance, reflecting God’s desire for reconciliation rather than condemnation. This challenges us to extend forgiveness and hope to those who have fallen, trusting in the transformative power of grace. [02:20]
2. God’s Compassion Responds to Suffering In the raising of the widow’s son, Jesus acts not because of a request or display of faith, but because He is moved by the mother’s tears. This reveals that God’s heart is deeply attuned to human suffering, and He often intervenes out of sheer compassion. Our pain, especially when offered in prayer, can move the heart of God in ways we may never fully understand. [10:37]
3. The Power of a Mother’s Intercession The Gospel draws a subtle but powerful connection between the widow of Nain and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Just as Jesus was moved by the widow’s grief, so too is He moved by the intercession of His own mother for us. The tears and prayers of mothers—both earthly and spiritual—carry immense weight before God, offering hope for those who seem lost or beyond reach. [12:05]
4. Hope Is Rooted in God’s Initiative, Not Our Merit The miracle at Nain occurred not because of the faith or worthiness of those present, but because of God’s initiative and love. This teaches us that our hope does not rest on our own strength, faith, or goodness, but on the steadfast mercy of God who seeks out the lost and the suffering. We are invited to trust in His initiative, especially when we feel powerless. [11:13]
5. Unity and Steadfastness in Trials The lives of the martyrs and the prayers of the Church call us to unity and perseverance, especially in times of trial. The Eucharist unites us with Christ and with one another, strengthening us to remain steadfast in faith and charity. In a world marked by division and suffering, our witness of unity and hope becomes a sign of God’s enduring presence.

** [17:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:20] - Saints Cornelius and Cyprian: Mercy and Martyrdom
[07:55] - Gospel Reading: The Widow of Nain
[08:38] - Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son
[09:44] - What Moves the Heart of Jesus
[10:37] - The Power of a Mother’s Tears
[11:13] - Mary as Our Mother and Intercessor
[12:05] - Hope for the World Through Compassion
[13:21] - Prayers for the Church and the World
[13:57] - Prayers for Special Intentions
[14:50] - Preparation of the Gifts
[17:10] - The Courage of the Martyrs
[19:18] - The Mystery of Faith and Communion
[20:13] - The Lord’s Prayer and Blessing
[22:20] - Dismissal and Final Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 7:11-17 (ESV) — > Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

Observation Questions

In the story of the widow of Nain, who asks Jesus for help, and what is Jesus’ response? ([07:55])
What details does Luke give about the widow’s situation, and why are they significant? ([07:55])
According to the sermon, what was it that moved Jesus to act in this situation? ([09:44])
How did the crowd react after Jesus raised the widow’s son? ([08:38])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon points out that neither the widow nor the crowd asked Jesus for a miracle. What does this suggest about the way God responds to human suffering? ([09:44])
The preacher draws a connection between the widow of Nain and Mary, the mother of Jesus. What is the significance of this parallel, especially regarding the power of a mother’s intercession? ([11:13])
Saints Cornelius and Cyprian advocated for welcoming back those who had denied their faith. What does this teach about the Church’s role in showing mercy and forgiveness? ([02:20])
The sermon says our hope is not based on our own goodness or faith, but on God’s initiative and mercy. How does this challenge or encourage your understanding of God’s love? ([12:05])

Application Questions

The sermon highlights that mercy triumphs over judgment, even for those who have denied their faith. Is there someone in your life who needs to experience mercy or forgiveness from you? What would it look like to offer that? ([02:20])
Jesus was moved by the silent suffering of the widow. Are there people around you whose pain might go unnoticed? How can you be more attentive and compassionate toward them this week? ([09:44])
The preacher spoke about the power of a mother’s (or spiritual mother’s) prayers and tears. Can you think of a time when someone’s prayers made a difference in your life? How can you be that person for someone else? ([12:05])
The miracle at Nain happened because of God’s compassion, not because anyone earned it. Are there areas in your life where you feel unworthy of God’s help? How might this story encourage you to trust in God’s mercy anyway? ([12:05])
Saints Cornelius and Cyprian stood for unity and steadfastness during persecution. Are there divisions or trials in your family, church, or community where you could be a peacemaker or a source of hope? ([17:10])
The Eucharist was mentioned as a source of unity and strength. How does participating in the Eucharist (or remembering Christ’s sacrifice) help you stay united with others and persevere in faith? ([17:10])
The sermon mentioned that many of us have experienced “spiritual resurrection” through the prayers of others. Who is someone you can pray for this week, especially someone who seems far from God or in need of hope? ([12:05])

Sermon Clips

So Jesus does many different miracles during his ministry. When he was in his own town, because of the lack of faith, he wasn't able to do many. Other times, people would come up to him and say, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus, seeing their faith, would heal them, cure them. Other times, for example, when they brought, they lowered the paralytic through the roof, Jesus saw the faith of the ones who were bringing the paralytic. And seeing their faith, he would heal. [00:09:04]

And so, I say all of this because what moved Jesus here, the dead man's obviously dead. He can't ask. He can't ask for healing. He's dead. But neither does anybody else. I think they don't even, it doesn't even enter their head that he has power to raise the dead. The mother doesn't really, doesn't ask either. But what is it that moved him? [00:09:44]

And it tells us that the man had died who was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, do not weep. It's the tears of a mother that he can't resist. He can't help but act. [00:10:16]

And they're right to say God has visited his people. And what's being revealed is the heart of God. And he says to the young man, I tell you, rise up. The dead man sat up, began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. And so it shows the power of the tears of a mother. [00:10:45]

And perhaps he saw something in his own mother in the fact that the man who died was the only son. Also, she was a widow. Jesus was the only son of Mary. It seems that Joseph had died at the time of the passion. [00:11:13]

And it should give us immense confidence how many mothers are crying for their children who are dead. And I think, as we look at the world and everything that's going on, what signs are there of hope? [00:11:30]

And I think this gospel is an immense sign of hope for us. Because Jesus gave Mary to us as a mother. How many of us have been raised from the dead because of the tears of our mother? Perhaps a lot more than we realize. A lot more than we realize. [00:11:45]

And so the fact that Mary is our mother, the power of her tears, the power of her intercession. And so I think there's an immense hope for the world. Not because we're good. Not because we have faith. Because the heart of God is moved by the tears of a mother. [00:12:08]

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