And a woman was there who for eighteen years
Luke 13:10
had been crippled by a spirit.
Reflection
Jesus is teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath, when he cures a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years. The leader of the synagogue tells Jesus he should have healed her on any other day, but Jesus calls him a hypocrite and says she should be set free from Satan on the sabbath day. The crowd rejoices at Jesus’ deeds.
The crippled woman must have had great faith to be at the synagogue, despite not being healed for eighteen years. Once she is healed, she immediately glorifies God. Jesus rewards the patience of this woman.
He heals on the sabbath day, revealing his power, love, and glory. Jesus will not leave us unhealed in the ways we need it. We might be stuck with physical ailments or spiritual ailments our entire lives, but Christ allows us to suffer them for our greater good. In other areas, he may heal us because it will allow us to grow closer to him.
Just as the crippled woman waited eighteen years, we too can have patience in our own suffering and offer it up to God. How is God calling you to patiently suffer today?
Saint of the Day
St. Demetrius: ca. 4th century AD
| St. Demetrius was a Roman commander, who, although commanded to persecute Christians, instead began to spread the faith. He was ordered to be executed by the Emperor for converting people to Christ. St. Demetrius, pray for us! |
