The Gospel for the memorial of St. Cornelius Pope and Syrian Bishop Martyrs is taken from Luke 7th, chapter 11 to the 17th verse. Jesus journeyed to a city called Naim and his disciples, and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, do not weep.

He stepped forward and touched the coffin. At this the bearers halted and he said, young man, I tell you, arise. The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all and they glorified God, exclaiming, a great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people. This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding region. This miracle happened at the beginning of Jesus ministry, and we know it was repeated toward the end of his ministry when he raised Lazarus from the dead.

But in both cases, what Jesus is trying to make sure people understand is that his kingdom that he is here to call into existence, is giving people the power over evil, over anything that would destroy us, harm us, keep us from the fullness of life. This is a beautiful example of the power that God is sharing with us as the Holy Spirit enters us and empowers us. Please ponder these images in your heart, and when the music ends, I will close with a prayer. Foreign Closing prayer Father, keep us always aware of the power that you share with us by dwelling with us. Give us a sense of the ability we have to overcome those things that we feel are obstacles to our growth. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.