DGeMs- Daily Gospel eMessage
Dear Friend in the Lord,
Jesus’ Compassion – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus healed the woman who had been crippled for eighteen years, even though it was the Sabbath Day. As such, the synagogue official objected. Ponder on, “When we encounter someone who is suffering – physically, emotionally or spiritually, do we justify our decisions of not helping as generously, like Jesus?”
Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
Luke 13:10-13, 14b-15a, 16, 17b
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. 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.