During the time of Jesus, women did not have much freedom; they were hugely dependent on their respective fathers, husbands or sons. In the story of the widow of Nain, she had no husband, because she was a widow, and her only son had died. Thus, this widow was in a desolate situation, in a way, a double whammy - no husband and no son.

Jesus felt sorry for her when He encountered the funeral procession of her son. He raised the young man and returned him to his mother. Jesus is the Lord of life and death. With great compassion for those who suffer, He has the power to restore life to the son and his mother.

Today, as we commemorate all souls, we believe and trust in God's almighty power and love to restore those who have died to eternal life. Even though our mortal bodies will corrupt in the ground, our souls will be raised to new life in Christ. Furthermore, as Isaiah says, God will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples; God will destroy Death for ever.

We pray for all souls that they may rest in peace, while awaiting the general resurrection of the dead. We believe with strong faith that since Jesus rose again from the dead, all will also rise again at the end of time. God wipes away the tears from every cheek when we mourn our dead.