Greetings on this the Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Romans 8:12-17; Psalm 68:2 and 4, 6-7ab, 20-21; Luke 13:10-17
Summary
And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.(Lk 13:12-13, 16, Hab 2:3).
Reflection
Whom Satan has bound: affliction and infirmity are taken as evidence of Satan’s hold on humanity. The healing ministry of Jesus reveals the gradual wresting from Satan of control over humanity and the establishment of God’s kingdom. He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. (NABRE Commentary Lk 13:16, Mt 13:29).
Personal Reflection
Eighteen years is a long time. So is 3 minutes in a dentist chair. Accounting time is tricky business even for the most centered of us.
Given the compassionate nature of Jesus and his coming tot he aid of so many is such marvelous ways, I can only rely upon the goodness of the person making the statement that the Lord did not delay and came to the old woman’s aid at the proper time.
It was to save the leader of the synagogue.
But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him (Lk 13:5,17).
In heaven, when the woman learns her central role in saving that man, she will account her suffering as nothing in relation to the salvation of a single soul. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him (Rom 8:16-17).
Jesus taught us that this day.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102725.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry