In today’s Gospel, Luke 13:10-17, Jesus heals a woman that has been crippled by an evil spirit for 18 years, however his loving and merciful act infuriated the Pharisees because he did it on the Sabbath. They were so focused on their own laws, that they didn’t understand the miracle that happened right before their eyes.
Jesus humiliated the Pharisees by asking why it’s legal to help a hurt animal on the Sabbath, yet they are angry when he helps a human being, who is one of God’s people, and had been afflicted for 18 years. Jesus tells us many times in scripture that people are more valuable than animals.
Would Jesus find the same hypocrisy and legalism in our world today?
Our state of California has some of the most progressive animal protection laws in the country, which is a good thing, but where are the laws protecting and helping unborn children and those living in the streets? Are they not more valuable than the animals?
Let us pray that this example from Jesus gives us the courage to stand up when people need mercy, especially when they can’t stand for themselves.
De Colores, Deacon Kevin
