4th Epiphany
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| Kenneth Dowdy |
Luke 13: 10-17
Once he was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit weakening her for eighteen years: she was bent over and could not stand upright [lift her head all the way up]. When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said to her, “Woman, you are released from your illness!”
He laid his hands upon her, and at once she was able to straighten up. And she praised the power of God. Then the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days for doing work; on those days you can come and let yourselves be healed—but not on the Sabbath.”
But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Does not every one of you untie his ox or his ass from the manger on the Sabbath and lead it away to the water trough? But this daughter of Abraham, who was held bound by the dark might of Satan for eighteen years, wasn’t supposed to be released from her bondage on the day of the Sabbath?”
All his opponents were put to shame by these words, and the people rejoiced over all the signs of spiritual power that happened through him.
1st February Trinity
Feb 3, 2019
Luke 13:10-17
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| Tissot |
Many of us have an appointment calendar or at least a plan for the day. Sometimes everything seems to fall into place. Other times we become annoyed when something unexpected prevents us from carrying out our plans.
The woman who was ill has waited 18 years for just this moment. She has a direct encounter with the loving and healing being of Christ. It is her illness itself that brings her to him in this great moment of destiny. The synagogue leader, too, has a plan. Certain things are to happen on certain days. He shows no compassion or joy. He can only criticize. He tries to control and limit, according to the schedule.
These two, the woman and the leader, are two archetypes that dwell in every human soul. We all have a part of us that needs healing, a part that longs for a direct encounter with our Creator. And we all have a part of us that says, ‘not now’.
Yes, we need to create and protect our schedules. But the encounter with the Being of Love doesn’t happen by appointment. It happens when it happens; when the moment is ripe; when we are open.
So, as the poet suggests:
Whoever you are: step out of doors tonight,
Out of the room that lets you feel secure.
Infinity is open to your sight.
Whoever you are,
With eyes that have forgotten how to see
From viewing things already too well-known,
Lift up into the dark …
….
And when at last you comprehend its truth,
Then close your eyes and gently set it free.*
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