The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today recognize that our suffering may be a path to a deeper understanding of the Love and Healing of God.
Suffering and Love
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans declares that we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Psalm 68 offers Praise and Thanksgiving to God. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals a crippled woman.
we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.1
Eileen Wirth shares an incident that illustrates the most important lesson Jesus teaches in today’s gospel—the need to prioritize the needs of people over laws, structures, and our own convenience.
As an old farm girl, I love the way Jesus makes his critics look like fools by asking if they cared for animals on the Sabbath. It reminded me of my dad saying that no matter what happened, you had to feed the cows. This reading also forced me to examine my conscience about the times I have failed to meet the needs of others because of something I considered more pressing, sometimes legitimate, sometimes less so. But I think Jesus understands. He is compassionate as we struggle to lead our messy lives, responding to various needs and pressures. Just don’t tell him you only help during office hours!2
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus overcomes death and destruction,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The incarnation of the Word and his assumption of human nature took place for the overthrow of death, destruction and the envy harbored against us by the wicked Serpent, who was the first cause of evil. This plainly is proved to us by facts themselves. He set free the daughter of Abraham from her protracted sickness, calling out and saying, 'Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.' A speech most worthy of God, and full of supernatural power! With the royal inclination of his will, he drives away the disease. He also lays his hands upon her. It says that she immediately was made straight. It is now also possible to see that his holy flesh bore in it the power and activity of God. It was his own flesh, and not that of some other Son beside him, distinct and separate from him, as some most impiously imagine."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96)3
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 13:10-17 comments that there may be subtle ways that we put limitations on how and when God might heal us. Perhaps we look only for physical healing when the Lord wants to heal our emotions. Maybe we think that some things are too hard for even him to heal, or that we can be healed only if we follow particular steps. We may even think that God doesn’t heal today, or that we don’t deserve to be healed.
Regardless of your objections, Jesus wants to touch you and give you freedom. He just asks you to keep showing up, to keep coming before him in prayer and trust. As you do, you can make yourself available to whatever Jesus wants to do in you. He knows the healing you need. It may be a physical healing; it may be an easing of worry or calming of your emotions. It may be an increased closeness to him. Or it may be all of the above! Just remember the two women. They didn’t come specifically asking for healing. They just showed up. And so did the Lord. “Here I am, Lord. I trust you to give me what you know I need.”4
Friar Jude Winkler shares insight about the readings today.
Richard Rohr, OFM, comments on the role of contemplation and action around the theme of Original Goodness in our Way of life. Those who have experienced deep love or deep suffering often share how that experience brought them closer to God.
References
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