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.
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.
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.
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.
_______________________________________________
To do good all the time
In today’s gospel, Jesus notices a woman in the synagogue who has been crippled for eighteen years. He feels compassion for her suffering and calls out to her, saying, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” Instantly, she is healed and stands up straight, praising God. Like this woman, many of us carry burdens from past failures, anxiety about the future, heartaches, and pain. Jesus wants to free us from these heavy loads. Today, He reaches out to us through the comforting presence and prayers of people around us and nourishes us with His Word and the Eucharist.
In the gospel, another character is the president of the synagogue. Instead of praising God, he expresses anger over Jesus’ healing someone on the Sabbath. In his eyes, Jesus is not following the Sabbath law. However, for Jesus, every day is an opportunity to do good. Today, let us also strive to do good and allow compassion to guide our actions.
Reflective question:
As I read the gospel passage, what is Jesus’ message to me?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
