Daily Catholic Lectio
Monday, 30 October 2023
Monday of the Thirtieth Week of the Year
Romans 8:12-17. Luke 13:10-17
Freedom from bondage
“It is not our physical bonds, but our mental and spiritual bonds that render us slaves.”
Jesus is preaching on the Sabbath in a synagogue. He heals a woman who had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. Jesus’ action of healing provokes the leader of the synagogue, who admonishes the people. Jesus points to his mental slavery and liberates him.
The observance of the Sabbath comes into the lives of the people of Israel only after the Lord’s covenant with them on Mount Sinai. They are given two reasons for the observance of the Sabbath: (a) God rested on the seventh day; therefore, they too must rest on the Sabbath (cf. Exod 20). This reason is cultic. (b) The people of Israel were once slaves in Egypt; therefore, thinking of their slavery in Egypt, they must rest and must make the slaves rest (cf. Deut 5). This reason is social. During the time of Jesus, it was customary that people would go to synagogue on the Sabbath. Other works were forbidden.
Luke describes the woman in the healing narrative with three expressions: (a) She was a woman; (b) She had a disabling spirit; and (c) she could not fully straighten herself. The woman had social, psychological, and spiritual sufferings. People were used to seeing her bent for about 18 years. Jesus, calling her and saying to her, ‘Woman, you are freed from your disability,’ touches and heals her. Being healed, she glorifies God.
The first person who reacts to this good work of Jesus is the leader of the synagogue. He projects his anger on the people: “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed.” In these words of the leader, we find a subtle recognition that he believes Jesus to be a miracle worker. However, he forbids good works from being done. This is his first hypocrisy. Secondly, people who would take care of their donkeys and oxen were indifferent to human persons, especially the vulnerable. This is another hypocrisy. Jesus heals the leader of the synagogue from his hypocrisy.
In our lives, we may be free without bodily bonds, but there could be mental and spiritual bonds that may tie us down. Jesus comes there to liberate us.
How do we move from bondage to freedom?
(a) Setting our priorities right!
For the leader of the synagogue, the observance of the Sabbath was his priority. For Jesus, the woman’s liberty was his priority. Our priorities define our actions. We must make freedom our top priority.
(b) Expanding our vision
Jesus calls the woman ‘daughter of Abraham.’ Later, Jesus calls Zacchaeus as ‘son of Abraham’ (cf. Lk 19). The Sabbath and other laws came into existence during the time of Moses and after. There were no laws during the time of Abraham. By pointing to Abraham, Jesus expands the vision of his listeners. Our expanded vision makes us free.
(c) Let go of our hypocrisy!
The leader of the synagogue was in a bondage of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy often leads to jealousy. The leader could not tolerate Jesus doing good. The leader was not aware of his mental bond. Awareness makes us liberated from hypocrisy. The leader of the synagogue had a duty to help his people attain spiritual liberation, but he himself was a stumbling block. We too have a role in the society to ensure the freedom of all.
In the first reading, pointing out the contrast between ‘life according to the flesh’ and ‘life in the Spirit,’ Paul makes an assertion about his listeners: “For all who are led by the spirit of God are sons (and daughters) of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption.” Letting go of our fears liberates us.
“It is not our physical bonds, but our mental and spiritual bonds that render us slaves.”
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church, instructing on freedom, says: “The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just … Freedom makes one responsible for his acts” (cf. nn. 1733-34).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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