Living in the Spirit and the Power of Christ’s Compassion: A Reflection in the Spirit of Traditional Catholic Piety
On this 15th Sunday after Pentecost, as the Church draws nearer to the end of the liturgical year, the sacred texts impress upon us a theme of resurrection—both moral and spiritual. These two readings—St. Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians and the account of Christ raising the widow’s son at Naim—are woven together by the thread of supernatural charity, which is the animating principle of the Christian life.
I. The Law of Christ: Bearing One Another’s Burdens (Gal. 6:1–10)
St. Paul, writing to the Galatians, calls us to a life not merely of private virtue, but of active charity in the spirit of humility. “Bear ye one another’s burdens: and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). The Apostle does not call us to be merely spiritual individuals, but members of the Mystical Body, bound together in Christ.
St. Augustine teaches: “We are all one body in Christ, and every Christian must suffer with his neighbor… For love is the life of the members of Christ.” (cf. In Ep. Ioan. Tract. 10)
Indeed, this epistle warns against the subtle poison of vainglory—that desire for recognition and superiority even in doing good. Such pride, St. Paul warns, hollows out charity and makes even our good deeds dead works. Hence, the Apostle says, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
In contrast, the Christian is called to a discreet and quiet charity, sowing in the Spirit by doing good to all men, “especially those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal. 6:10). The Fathers interpret this as an exhortation to support not only the poor but also to sustain the work of the Church, through almsgiving, prayer, and service.
St. John Chrysostom, ever practical, comments: “When you see a poor man, remember that Christ has taken his form, and act accordingly. Let us sow in the Spirit—that is, let us do good, expecting our reward not from men, but from God.” (Hom. on Galatians)
Thus, in the Pauline exhortation we see the interior resurrection—the soul raised from the death of pride, envy, and indifference into the life of humble, active charity.
II. Christ the Resurrection and the Life: The Widow’s Son at Naim (Luke 7:11–16)
The Gospel presents to us one of the most touching scenes in the life of Our Lord: the raising of the only son of the widow of Naim. The situation is profoundly tragic—a mother bereft of her only son, now left utterly alone. St. Luke carefully tells us that the Lord saw her, had compassion on her, and spoke tenderly: “Weep not.”
St. Ambrose comments: “It was not the plea of the widow, but the compassion of the Lord that restored the youth to life.” (Expos. in Lucam 5.89)
The Fathers are unanimous in seeing this event as more than a physical miracle: it is a sign of the spiritual resurrection Christ offers to all who are dead in sin.
St. Gregory the Great draws the mystical interpretation: “The dead man is the sinner; the mother is Holy Church, weeping for her children. As the Lord touches the bier—signifying the discipline of the Church—and speaks, the sinner is raised.” (Hom. 36 on the Gospels)
This Gospel was chosen with great wisdom by the Church for this Sunday: it reveals the power of Divine Grace, which raises the soul from mortal sin just as Christ raised the young man from death. How fitting, then, that the Epistle and Gospel together call us both to bear with the sinner and to hope in the mercy of Christ for their restoration.
In the ancient liturgy of this Sunday, the Church also sings in the Gradual: “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall ever be in my mouth”—a song of thanksgiving echoing the people of Naim who, after the miracle, “glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up among us, and God hath visited His people” (Luke 7:16).
III. Commemoration of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Providentially, today the Church also commemorates St. Matthew, the Apostle who was himself called from the “death” of worldly life as a tax collector. He, too, rose—not physically, but spiritually—at the word of Christ: “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him (Matt. 9:9). It is a fitting reminder that the power which raised the widow’s son also called the publican Matthew to become a writer of the Gospel and a martyr.
St. Bede the Venerable reflects: “Matthew did not consider what he had been, but what he was called to be. Grace does not look back, but forward.”
Conclusion: We Live in the Spirit—Let Us Walk in the Spirit
This Sunday reminds us that to live in the Spirit is to live by charity, in humility, and with hope. The dead shall rise—not only at the Last Day, but even now, whenever Christ speaks the word and we respond in faith. Whether we see ourselves in the sorrowing widow, the lifeless son, the proud heart rebuked by St. Paul, or the faithful disciple Matthew, Christ meets us where we are—and bids us live anew.
Let us then take to heart the words of St. Paul: “Be not weary in well-doing… for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9)
Prayer:
O Lord, who didst raise the widow’s son by Thy mere word of power, raise also our souls from the death of sin, and make us instruments of Thy mercy to others. Through the intercession of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, grant us the grace to follow Thee with whole hearts. Amen.