Click here for today’s Scripture readings.
Rom 8:12-17
Lk 13:10-17
“Our God is the God of Salvation” we proclaim in today’s psalm response. Each of the readings illustrates this truth in its own way. Salvation implies freedom from whatever is detrimental to fullness of life. The Gospel portrays a Jesus possessed of a passionate desire to heal. The chief of the synagogue and like-minded members of the congregation believe that He could well wait until the end of the Sabbath before curing the woman. It doesn’t seem that unreasonable a presumption. But Jesus won’t wait—not even for a request from the woman. This daughter of Abraham should not have to endure a condition He labels “a bondage of Satan” a moment longer. Healing is here depicted as a victory over the Evil One. It is God’s work. The majority of the congregation is in agreement. They rejoice “at the marvels Jesus was accomplishing.”
The first reading is also about achieving freedom from bondage; in this case, spiritual bondage. In contrast to a slave-like attitude dominated by fear, Paul speaks of free people, confident in their status as children of God and co-heirs with Christ. They do suffer, but since they suffer in union with Christ, the experience is not the source of fear but of hope. Through suffering with Christ, they will share in the glorious joy of his resurrection. God is the God of their salvation—and ours. Let us too be joyful.
- Sr. Mary O’Brien, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Sister’s community in Union City, NJ.
Related articles
- Questions about God (thepassionists.org)
- Deadly Sins (thepassionists.org)
