October 25, 2021

Lk 13: 10-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 

But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 

When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

God’s love is poured out each day

When Jesus encounters the long-suffering woman on the sabbath, he spontaneously reacts with compassion and healing. He doesn’t tolerate being told, “Come work your healings on one of the other six days of the week. No acts of God’s kindness and mercy are allowed on the sabbath.” Jesus, the Lord of all time, will not allow the revelations of God’s power and goodness to become scheduled events that are by appointment only, or limited to specific days of the week. Again and again, Jesus reveals by his actions that God’s mercy and love are poured forth, not just specific days of the week, but every day and in every moment.

Take a few minutes today to recognize God’s unlimited goodness and mercy abounding around you. What revelations of God’s love are occurring in your life each day?  Which blessings are you most grateful for today?

 —Russ Long is a parishioner and participant in the After the Spiritual Exercises program at St. Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, the Jesuit parish in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to be more grateful for the continuous manifestations of your love and mercy in my life, and the lives of those around me, today and every day. Amen.

—Russell Long