The first reading depicts Elijah reviving the widow's son. It runs parallel to Luke's gospel story of Jesus' compassion for the widow of Nain, by raising her son to life. The Church has received this charge to heal the sick from the Lord, who, in turn, must have internalized in his Judaic upbringing the traditional practice of caring for the sick. Jesus allowed himself to be moved. The Lord's compassion was actualized in his lifting up the mother's spirits by restoring the physical life of her son. Christ is the physician of souls and bodies. His presence is life-giving. This presence is particularly active through the sacraments, and in an altogether special way through the Eucharist, which we celebrate today, Sunday, the Lord's Day.

We take care of the sick as well as accompany them with our prayers. Sometimes the sick may be those who are dear to us - family members, friends, neighbours. It is especially hard if illnesses strike them in the prime of their lives. We are touched by both the beauty and fragility of human life. We are in fear of our own loss and the future. How do we respond to this situation?