Set Free

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. Luke 13:10-17

Healing comes at different times and in different ways for each of us.  The results of the US presidential election are in and although not final, many people are grieving and in pain while others are jubilant. We all need healing and especially today. Healing that sets us free. Free to be kind and generous, free to see the other as beloved, set free to love freely and be freely loved. Pray for each other today, no matter how divided and hurting we all might be.

Loving Creator, our God in all seasons

you are with us when we deeply despair

you hold us when the pain is all too great

and you heal us from long endured pain.

We are a country broken open today

we are suffering across our land

seeking people to blame and shame

for the pain we are enduring this season.

Hold us dear Lord while we weep

and help us to stand up once again

set us free to live with endless generosity

and make us your heart and hands here now. Amen.