New Life from Old

Proper 5, Year C
 
I Kings 17:8-24
Psalm 146           or         Psalm 30                     
Galatians 1:11-24                                              
Luke 7:11-17     

One of the themes we find in literature throughout recorded history in many cultures is the idea of rebirth, or new life coming from old.  Sometimes this archetype, if you will, emerges in a story of someone being brought back to life who has, in some way, physically died. 

Two such stories appear in this week’s lectionary, both involving a widow with an only son who has died.  The first is described in I Kings 17, where Elijah resuscitates the son of the widow of Zarephath after praying to God.  The second case, recorded in Luke 7, involved the widow of Nain, who was escorting the body of her son out of the town.  Jesus had compassion on her, and restored her son’s life. 
 
While these stories are hundreds of years apart, they point to a basic truth about life – new life can, indeed, spring from old. 

Both of these stories remind us of a third case, where a widow, Mary, watched her son, Jesus, being executed.  The only begotten Son of God was eventually restored to life by the love of God despite the hatred of the people. 
 
That there can be, and is, life after physical death is well-established in my beliefs.  It’s the way things have been designed.  Life is so precious that, even though it may change form, it continues on under the protection and love of God.
 
These stories demonstrate the life-giving power of God.  But we must also realize that it doesn’t just stop at physical existence.  People can die spiritually, too, by succumbing to the ever-growing ego.  Like Saul of Tarsus, a person can get buried under the burdens of prejudice, hatred, fear, shame, worry, and numerous other illusions.  These things can become “scales over our eyes,” blinding us to truth, joy, unity and peace.
 
The psalmist knows that spiritual resuscitation comes at the hand of God: “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.” (Psalm 146). 
 
Paul writes about his spiritual awakening in his letter to the Galatians.  He describes his earlier life of spiritual death: “I was violently persecuting the Church of God and was trying to destroy it.”  But Paul was called through the grace of God, thee scales fell from his eyes, and he was reborn. The one who was formerly persecuting the Church was “now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” (Galatians 1)
 
Jesus teaches us that God is present when “the dead are raised up.” (Luke 7:22)  This can refer to physical healings and resurrections, it can refer to the transitions people experience passing from this life to the next, and it can refer to people awakening from the dead spiritually. 
 
It is in God’s sweet nature to heal, preserve and enhance the life that He gives.  We will experience this in many ways as we travel through time that never ends.  We will come to know His good intentions, steadfast love, and how He makes new life from old.
 
Affirmations

Today I will be more alert to God’s power to create new life from old.
 
Today I will be more appreciative of the life around me.
 
Today I will fill each moment of life with reverence, patience and acceptance.