Luke 13:10-17 (NRSV)
Read Luke 13:10-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. Verse 11And 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. Verse 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." Verse 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. Verse 14But 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." Verse 15But 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? Verse 16And 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?" Verse 17When 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.
Devotion
Do you feel the weight of the world’s injustices? Do you feel that they have physically bent you over, or perhaps at least spiritually? Today, when we see injustices around us they can seem to affect us physically and mentally. How are we to respond, especially when we are told not to interfere with others’ plights? When our “leaders” today tell us not to interfere with their “leadership” and their interpretation of laws (as if only they know what is best for us), how are we to respond?
In today’s reading we see Jesus’ reaction to “leaders” of his day who sought to restrain people from living lives of care and concern for those in need. With Jesus as our guide, we are to follow Jesus’ example. We are to right injustices and help others as Jesus teaches us, even when it goes against the dictates of our “human leaders.” The question for each of us is, “In whom do I place my trust?”
Prayer
O most Holy Spirit within us, help us keep our hearts unhardened, so that we may feel your presence and live fully into the love of God, our neighbor, and all creation. Amen.
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