Word to the Wise
Monday, October 29, 2018 - Monday in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
[Eph 4:32-5:8 and Luke 13:10-17]"Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?" [Luke]
Jesus speaks these words in response to the leader of a synagogue who criticized Jesus for healing a woman in the synagogue on a sabbath. The situation is similar to another one earlier in Luke at 6:6-11. In today's account, Jesus has probably already caused a "Tsk, tsk!" just by touching a sick woman in the synagogue on the sabbath! But when he heals her, this sort of thing would have been considered "work" and therefore a violation of the sabbath! Jesus responds by pointing out that those critics thought nothing of having compassion on their domestic animals and taking them to water on the sabbath. Why can't he heal a woman who has been "bound by Satan." The healing does more than help the woman, it also announces that the Kingdom of God's mercy has arrived and is more powerful than Satan.
The priority of mercy and compassion over institution and observance is a constant in the gospels. Love of God and neighbor is the light by which all other religious behavior should be seen. If we have a sick or disabled neighbor who needs immediate assistance, can we miss Mass on Sunday to help that neighbor? The answer has to be "Yes!" Does this mean that we look for a situation to show compassion in order to avoid going to Mass on Sunday because we dislike the liturgy or the preaching or the pastor? The answer is "No!" It is a matter of priorities but persons do come before institutions and observances when push comes to shove. Mercy and compassion are the expression of love of God and neighbor. AMEN