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First reading Romans 8:12-17
The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God
My brothers, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live.
Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.
Responsorial Psalm 67(68):2,4,6-7,20-21
This God of ours is a God who saves.
Let God arise, let his foes be scattered.
Let those who hate him flee before him.
But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God,
they shall exult and dance for joy.
This God of ours is a God who saves.
Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the lonely a home to live in;
he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.
This God of ours is a God who saves.
May the Lord be blessed day after day.
He bears our burdens, God our saviour.
This God of ours is a God who saves.
The Lord our God holds the keys of death.
This God of ours is a God who saves.
Gospel Luke 13:10-17
Was it not right to untie this woman’s bonds on the sabbath day?
One sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are rid of your infirmity’ and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God.
But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, and he addressed the people present. ‘There are six days’ he said ‘when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the sabbath.’ But the Lord answered him. ‘Hypocrites!’ he said ‘Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the sabbath and take it out for watering? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years – was it not right to untie her bonds on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.
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Monday, 25th October, 30th Week in Ordinary Time.
Romans 8:12-17, Luke 13:10-17
One Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and
there before him was a woman who for eighteen years had been
possessed by a spirit that crippled her; she was bent double and quite
unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and
said, ‘Woman, you are freed from your disability,’ and he laid his hands
on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God. But the
president of the synagogue was indignant because Jesus had healed on
the Sabbath, and he addressed all those present saying, ‘There are six
days when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those
days and not on the Sabbath.’ But the Lord answered him and said,
‘Hypocrites! Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey
from the manger on the Sabbath and take it out for watering? And this
woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these
eighteen years — was it not right to untie this bond on the Sabbath day?’
When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and
all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.
Romans 8:12-17, Luke 13:10-17
One Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and
there before him was a woman who for eighteen years had been
possessed by a spirit that crippled her; she was bent double and quite
unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and
said, ‘Woman, you are freed from your disability,’ and he laid his hands
on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God. But the
president of the synagogue was indignant because Jesus had healed on
the Sabbath, and he addressed all those present saying, ‘There are six
days when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those
days and not on the Sabbath.’ But the Lord answered him and said,
‘Hypocrites! Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey
from the manger on the Sabbath and take it out for watering? And this
woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these
eighteen years — was it not right to untie this bond on the Sabbath day?’
When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and
all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.
The healing of the woman with a bent back
In today’s gospel, Jesus saw a woman who was bent over for eighteen
years. Without hesitation, He healed her by laying His hands on her. She
immediately praised God. We might not be physically bent, but we often
find ourselves bend over with burdens of responsibilities, worries, fears,
remorse, sadness, etc. Thus, we find it hard to live life with joy and
meaning. Jesus wants to liberate us from our burdens so that we can
stand upright and face each day with new strength. He does it
sometimes through a healing word from someone. Other times, He
touches our lives with His presence in the Sacraments or the silence of prayer.
years. Without hesitation, He healed her by laying His hands on her. She
immediately praised God. We might not be physically bent, but we often
find ourselves bend over with burdens of responsibilities, worries, fears,
remorse, sadness, etc. Thus, we find it hard to live life with joy and
meaning. Jesus wants to liberate us from our burdens so that we can
stand upright and face each day with new strength. He does it
sometimes through a healing word from someone. Other times, He
touches our lives with His presence in the Sacraments or the silence of prayer.
Instead of praising God, the synagogue president was upset with Jesus
because He healed the woman on the Sabbath. Due to his selfrighteousness,
because He healed the woman on the Sabbath. Due to his selfrighteousness,
he failed to see God’s work and life-giving presence in
the synagogue that day. Today, let us be open to recognise that God’s
love goes beyond time and space, and that we can have the same
compassionate heart as Jesus.
love goes beyond time and space, and that we can have the same
compassionate heart as Jesus.
Question for reflection:
What is Jesus’ message for me in this time of prayer?
