Today's lessons proclaim new life in places filled with death. The gift of life occurs twice-to widows' sons struck down too early, but restored by Elijah and Jesus' words. Paul describes his experiences as a spiritual movement from death to life, from the one who once persecuted the church to one now proclaiming the good news of life in Christ We, too, are beneficiaries of God's great compassion, and can take comfort in His readiness to care for us even in the most dire situations of life and death.