It's only St Luke who reports what happened as Jesus was entering a town called Nain. The story itself, the details, and the picture of Jesus' personality and way of acting are also typical of Luke. What he tells us about the reaction of the crowds, their awe and praise to God, remind us of the great message of the very start of the gospel, particularly noted by Luke: "God has visited His people."

Jesus "felt sorry for" the widow who was bringing her only son to burial. So He comforted her and then gave life back to the young man, and gave him back to his mother. He "visited" her in a way beyond all expectation.

In Jesus, God Himself has visited, and continues to visit us in ways beyond all our hopes or imaginings. Perhaps not so spectacularly, but miracles do continue to happen - miracles even of physical healing, as well as of spiritual renewal, reconciliation, new life springing up, the gift of God's peace received in peoples' hearts. His 'visiting' most usually comes through other people, sometimes even most unlikely people. In a way, all our encounters are His visits, if only we could see them more clearly as such in the light of our faith.

When Jesus met the widow that day, did He perhaps think of His own mother who would soon grieve over her only son's death? In giving life to that young man, did He think of His own resurrection to a new life to be shared with all of us?