Romans 8:12-17
Luke 13:10-17
This God of ours is a God who saves…he leads the prisoner forth into freedom…Psalm 68.
In today’s gospel, we see the healing of a bent woman who was bound by Satan for eighteen years. She was bent double and could not stand upright. Jesus healed her. She was loosed and could now stand straight. God straightened what the enemy bent.
The Lord worked this miracle in the synagogue on the Sabbath day and the Pharisees were quick to raise their eyebrows and frown at the miracle performed by Christ. They were indignant without considering the wonders God had done. Jesus points out their hypocrisy and their uncharitable attitude towards life in general. Nothing in the law forbids good deeds. Doing something good for the glorification of God’s name does not bend or go against the law and the rituals of the Sabbath. The Sabbath or any other day of worship is a day of Thanksgiving. It is a celebration rendered to God who wants us to share in his divine life. It is a day of appreciation for the wonders God has done and the benevolence that He bestows on mankind daily.
Indeed, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted those whose spirit is crushed he saves. Psalm 38:14 too are called today to recognize the infinite healing power of God and his undying love for humanity. Let us come to Jesus just as we are; let Him set us free and take our burden away without any fear from our side. God has something in store for you today. May He straighten any crooked ways that the devil has made wrong for you. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1).
Fr Joseph Osho