ISB ~ Luke 7 v12

being carried out:A funeral procession that probably involved the young man’s relatives and neighbors as well as hired mourners and musicians (Mt 9:23; Mk 5:38).

a widow:The bereaved mother faces great hardship. With the death of her only son, she is left without family or economic security. Her livelihood would depend upon the charity of others in Israel (Deut 26:12).

• Mystically (St. Ambrose, In Lucam): the widow signifies Mother Church, weeping for those who are dead in sin and carried beyond the safety of her gates. The multitudes looking on will praise the Lord when sinners rise again from death and are restored to their mother.