The Crippled Woman

Gospel Lk 13:10-17

Healing of a woman on the Sabbath: On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over double and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her:

--"Woman, you are set free from your infirmity!"

Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people:

--"There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."

The Lord answered him:

--"You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

QUESTIONS AND POINTS FOR REFLECTION

1.- Living Bent Over or Looking to Heaven: That woman had been bent over for eighteen years and could not straighten up. Sometimes, our worries, sin, or the desire to always please everyone make us live "bent over" toward ourselves. What do you think Jesus is asking of you today to help you "straighten up" and look at life with more hope and freedom?

2.- Jesus' Initiative: The text says that upon seeing her, Jesus called her and said: "Woman, you are free from your illness." She had not asked for anything; it was Jesus who took the initiative. In your preparation for Confirmation, do you feel sought by God? Are you aware that the Holy Spirit is a gift that God wants to give you of His own initiative, simply because He loves you?

3.- The Spirit of the Law vs. Legalism: The synagogue leader is indignant because Jesus heals on the Sabbath, putting the rule above the person. As a Christian, how can you avoid falling into the trap of fulfilling just for the sake of "fulfilling" (going to mass, catechism, etc.) without truly putting your heart and love for others into it?

4.- Freeing Ourselves from Bonds: Jesus criticizes the hypocrisy of those who care for their animals on the Sabbath but do not want a daughter of Abraham to be freed. What "bonds" (like envy, selfishness, or fear of what others think) do you think prevent you from fully living your faith day to day?

5.- The Joy of the Community: In the end, the people rejoiced at the wonders Jesus performed. Confirmation makes you an adult member of the Christian community. In what way do you think your way of living and serving others can bring joy and hope to your parish or environment?