The Readings for today point to two conditions, that of the frail, sickly, and tentative human condition and that of being sons and daughters of God.
In the first reading, St. Paul reminds the followers from Rome to leave the flesh and to walk in the Spirit and become the sons and daughters of God. As children of God, we can share in God’s glory.
In the Gospel, Jesus demonstrates that Glory by curing a woman crippled for 18 years. The narrative gives us two lessons: 1) that sometimes in doing good works, we will encounter difficulties and criticisms; and 2) that many times, we have to discern what is the more loving thing to do.
In this situation, Jesus encounters the hypocritical ruler of the synagogue who thinks that Jesus violated the Sabbath by curing the cripple. And yet, as Jesus demonstrates, even in the Sabbath, people work; isn’t it much more loving to cure, and do good? The discernment that is asked of us in situations like this is what is more pleasing to the Father, to obey the Sabbath, or to cure the cripple and relieve her of 18 years of pain and suffering.
Many times, we will encounter difficult situations but we must discern and answer the question, WHAT IS THE MORE LOVING THING TO DO? WHAT WOULD THE FATHER WANT US TO DO?