Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Worship- Which Gives Perfection to Personhood 

Luke 13:10-17
 

The meaning of wholeness according to the dictionary is, ‘the quality of being or feeling completed and not divided or damaged’. The word ‘heal’ also comes from the same root as the word ‘whole’ comes from. Therefore, the idea of healing cannot be divided between the body and the mind. Both mind and body should be healed to receive wholeness, and that will lead us to holiness. Here in this passage, we can see that Jesus heals a crippled woman, and also Jesus rebukes the attitude of the people in the Synagogue. 
Worship: To Raise the Unraised
The woman was crippled for eighteen long years. In her life, she might have never gazed beyond a limit. Her physical condition forced her to look only in one direction. Even though she had limitations, her presence in the Synagogue tells us about her unwavering faith in the Lord. After healing, Jesus called her the daughter of Abraham. The compassionate touch of Jesus rehabilitated and restored her. In the midst of worship, the act of Jesus tells us that we should heal the infirmities surrounding us. The whole responsibility of the worshipping community is to bring healing for the downtrodden and oppressed community. In Eastern tradition, we say ‘liturgy after liturgy’ which means that we should not limit our worship to the four walls of a building, further we have to continue to live out the liturgy in this chaotic world. Therefore, our worship will become meaningful only when we raise the unraised from their agony, sufferings, and humiliations.
Worship: To Set Things in Order
The ruler of the synagogue questions the act of healing by Jesus. He became very upset by seeing the miracle. Thereafter he brings out the importance of the Jewish custom of following the Sabbath and objects to the act of healing. Jesus responds to this by posting a question, ‘Hypocrite does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?’. By this Jesus reveals the true meaning of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is not a time for rest or relaxation. But it is a time of achieving a state of order in society. The true understanding of the Sabbath refers to the security and order in the kingdom of God. It is the liberation from the bondages and achievement of salvation. Through this healing, Jesus fulfills the true understanding of the Sabbath. Our worship becomes meaningful when we participate in the work of God. So, we are called to bring fullness in others' lives by setting things in order as revealed by Jesus.

Prayer

 Dear God, thank you for your presence with us, your words bring to us hope, comfort and strength. We seek for your peace and grace upon this wounded world, filled with your love and compassion. Amen


Thought for the Day

Remember the amazing power & work of God in our lives, don’t forget the goodness and blessings we received. Thank God for bringing hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes.

Rev. BINOY J. THOMAS, Ebenezer Mar Thoma Church, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,

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