This is one of three stories in the Gospel where we are told Jesus restored life to a person. In the thinking of the time, the scene is particularly sad. A woman, who has already lost her husband, has now lost her only son and her only means of support. The lot of the widow, often a relatively young woman, was particularly difficult in a culture where she was left abandoned by a society that knew nothing of social welfare. Jesus Himself is deeply moved at her plight. For the first time Luke refers to Jesus as "Lord", a title reserved for God Himself and entirely fitting as Jesus reveals Himself as Lord of Life. He approaches the woman with the dead son and orders him to rise. It is the same word used for the 'resurrection' of Jesus Himself. "I have come that they may have life." That is the clear message of the story. As we read this story, we might ask how alive we ourselves are with the life that God wants us to have. Perhaps, too, we need to look around and see if there are any people around us who need to be given new life. Maybe we can help them in some way.