Monday – 30th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke13:10-17

Standing Tall

Gethsemane

A few years ago when I was still teaching at St. Pat’s, I remember meeting a Muslim mom and her son as they were touring the school.  I greeted her with the traditional “As-Salaam-Alaikum” – peace be with you!  She had the biggest smile on her face as she returned the greeting.  And it led to a wonderful conversation on faith and shared beliefs.  A simple gesture but such an opportunity to share one’s faith!

When was the last time when you had the chance to stand up for something, to make a difference, to profess your faith?  Maybe we stood our ground against a bully.  Or we saw an injustice and we called out for a change.  Or it could be as simple as just being an honest person when someone unknowingly drops a $20 bill on the ground. 

But what about standing up for our faith?  What about a time when we professed our belief, our love for God?  In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a woman who has been bent over and crippled for 18 years.  And His critics bitterly berate Him for healing her on the Sabbath, a day dedicated to the Lord, a day of prayer and no work.  

And yet, I think the key line is this whole passage is this: “She stood up straight and glorified God.”  After all those years of immobility, her first thought is to praise God.  And not just anywhere!  This happened in the synagogue, a place where women had no voice, no role at all.  It speaks to us not only of her faith but her courage!  She stood up and let her voice, her faith, be heard!  She made her faith count!

You know, just about the very first song I ever learned to play on my guitar was “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”  The lyrics just seem to fit today!

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land.

We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Stand tall and let your FAITH be heard!

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