In today’s scripture we once more hear of God’s mercy and compassion in granting life.

In our Old Testament reading (1 Kings 17:17-24) we hear God working through the prophet Elijah in the miraculous healing of a widow’s son.  In today’s gospel (Luke 7:11-17) we hear Jesus miraculously bring back to life another widow’s son.  In both instances life is provided not only to the sons but also to the widows who, without their sons, would have been left on the margins of society destitute and alone.

These readings are so appropriate for today, National Cancer Survivors Day, a day where we celebrate all those who have successfully battled cancer, and remember all those whose lives were taken by this terrible disease.

As a cancer survivor, I see myself as those two sons must have seen themselves – beneficiaries of God’s love, mercy, and compassion.  I thank God every day for the life he continues to bestow on me and for the strength and resolve he gave me in my own fight to regain my health, and my life.

Today we also hear Saint Paul emphasize that our knowledge of God and our awareness of God’s love for us is due to nothing less than God’s desire to reveal himself to us (Galatians 1:11-19).  I am thankful that as I battled my illness seven years ago that God allowed me and my family to feel his loving presence – a presence that filled us with trust and comfort, a presence that allowed us to persevere.  I am thankful that God allows us – all of us – to feel his presence every day, and that God continues to reveal his truths to us little by little every day.

For all you cancer survivors out there – we can join in with a big thanks to God.  And for all those who were called too soon and are no longer with us, we are comforted knowing that they are with Jesus in Heaven, and also with us in Spirit.