Faith Daily | 25 October 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST Pentecost 21

Almighty and everlasting God,

give to us the increase of faith, hope and love;

and, that we may obtain what you promise,

make us to love what you command;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 13: 10-17

10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Maggie Woolley

Imagine the joy this poor woman must have felt when she was able to stand up straight after 18 years of being bent over and now free of pain. It may be a physical condition, but the fact that Jesus described her condition as caused by "a spirit" may suggest that her crippled state could have been a spiritual one. Sometimes, the weight of the past can cripple us - sorrows, resentment, nostalgia, remorse, an overwhelming attachment to material possessions and even places. We can be frozen in time and place and this can be debilitating. Jesus wants to free us from everything that holds us back from living a full and fruitful life. This could include attitudes and judgements which may limit and constrict us. How sad is the rigid thinking of the synagogue leaders who felt that even healing needed to be controlled according to strict laws. Jesus attacks the absurdity of the argument and puts them to shame. For Him, mercy and compassion are of the greatest importance and His teaching here shows us how we should respond to the pain and burdens of others - anywhere and at any time.

With Jesus' help we can all be healers and bring joy in His name.

FINAL PRAYER: David Adam “Traces of Glory”

Lord, open our eyes to your presence.

Grant us a vision to see what we can achieve:

as your love touches us may we reach out to others.

Lord, stretch our capabilities, extend our vision

and increase our sense of purpose,

that we may grow in our service of you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.