By Philomone csc –
Readings: Rom 8: 12-17; Lk 13: 10-17
In today’s gospel reading, we see the healing of a woman who suffered for eighteen years from being crippled by a spirit, and the healing takes place on a Sabbath.
In a way, this healing story sums up the whole of Jesus’ message and purpose. Jesus wants us to have life in its fullness which sets us free from everything that holds us captive. The woman must have tried all possible ways to get healed from her sickness and it probably was her last choice to approach Jesus of Nazareth.
When she came to Jesus, she experienced the fullness of God and from then on, her life took a different turn. For the first time in eighteen years she could stand up straight and praised God for the healing and the freedom from her disease. I ask for a heart like that of Jesus, always compassionate and ready to defend the poor and suffering.
In this hard-hearted world, I wonder how inspiring personalities like Mother Teresa, Fr. Stan Swamy, and many others have become a source of Christ’s mercy. I ask for the grace and the light to be aware of my prejudices and become a source of mercy to others in my daily life.