A reflection on 13:10–17 for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time.
A woman who has been bent over for eighteen years stands up and praises God. Great news! Surely I would rejoice. But the synagogue leader complains about the day it happened on, and his response nags at me. I can become so occupied with whether something was done the right way that I don’t notice who it helped.
I do appreciate a good efficient process. Someone needs to know where the keys are and who has agreed to what. But I can imagine myself hearing good news and immediately asking whether the parish council was consulted. Even a blessing should have minutes available for review.
The woman’s eighteen years ought to interrupt that line of thought. For her, this is a day she will never forget. She can straighten her back. She can look people in the face. While she praises God, the leader explains that there are six other days available for healing. He thinks she should have waited at least one day longer.
Jesus calls her a daughter of Abraham. She belongs. Her relief should be celebrated within the life of the community, and the Sabbath is an appropriate day for her freedom. Jesus points to the care people already give their animals that day. They know how to take care of a need when they recognize it.
That makes me wonder whose needs I recognize readily. I may understand making an exception for someone whose circumstances resemble mine, then become suspicious when someone outside of my circle receives the same attention. Maybe I worry that kindness will create a precedent. I feel that I followed the rules, and everyone else ought to also.
I need to be careful with that feeling. Having endured something difficult does not give me a good reason to require it of another person. When someone receives help, my first concern should be how she is doing. There will be time to discuss arrangements later. She has waited quite long enough.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me rejoice when someone finds relief. Show me where my attachment to having things done my way makes me slow to care. Give me the grace to welcome another person’s freedom. Amen.
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