Peace, all. Here's a translation of this week's RCL Gospel reading. ~Tom
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Luke 13:10-17
On the sabbath, Jesus was visiting a nearby synagogue. While he was teaching, a woman appeared. Against her will, she had been twisted up, unable to rise or to take a stand, for a spirit had possessed her for eighteen years.
Seeing her, Jesus invited her to come into the crowd that had gathered. And as she arrived, he offered a declaration.
With compassion, he placed his hands on the woman.
He took a breath.
“Woman.” Beloved, he said.
“From your affliction, you are set free.”
At once, she rose up. She took a stand. And there, in the middle of Jesus’ bible study, she sang and shouted, giving thanks to God.
But not everyone was happy.
One leader of the place was visibly angry.
His indignation invited him into the crowd, for he was unhappy that Jesus had administered healing on the Sabbath.
He spoke.
“There are six days on which work should be performed.”
He looked at the woman.
“Come on those days. Be cured. But not on the Sabbath.”
The Lord responded.
“You who perform with masks (ὑποκριταί)!
On the Sabbath do you not untie your ox or donkey from the manger and lead it to water?
Do you not think that this woman, this beloved one, this daughter of Abraham whom Satan had tied and twisted for eighteen long years, should be unleashed from her bondage on this, the Sabbath day?”
When Jesus said this, the faces of his opponents showed. A bit red. But the entire crowd was rejoicing with the woman at this and at all the wonderful things being done by him.
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