Eyes lifted
This can be listened to here:
Gate Pa – Year C 21st
Sunday of Ordinary Time, Pentecost 14,
Readings:
Psalm Psalm
71:1-6
First Reading: Jeremiah
1:4-10
Second Reading: Hebrews
12:18-29
Gospel: Luke:
13:10-17
What I want to say:
enter
into the story of the women and use that to explore our own experience of being
freed.
What I want to
happen:
Who is God?
The Sermon
1. Introduction:
Today I want to offer a reflection
as you listen I invite you to reflect on your
own story
ask
where am I in this story we hear today
and how does it speak to my story.
2. Eyes lifted
Alone she stood
unnoticed
silent
invisible to all
even herself
bound by sickness
for 18 years slowly stooping
lower as the
bonds of infirmity
tighten
lower
she bends to the ground
in
pain
and
shame
her horizon lowering with each
day confining her world to
her feet and ground around
bound
pained
shamed.
She stood
stooped at the back
hidden and silent
invisible
even
to herself.
Lost.
Hope was gone
replaced by doubts and such
deep dismay.
Her face etched in the question
that defines her
binds her
Why?
She had been obedient
tried
to live Torah
paid the tax
done what was expected
She had been loyal
to
God
and
her people
She was not the holiest
she was not the worst
and her reward was to be
bound
stooped
shuffling through each day
staring at the ground
punished for some unknown sin
by this far away God
who abandoned her
to this life
leaving her shamed
alone
invisible.
So she stood
behind the others
hidden by the others
unseen by all
even herself
just inside
listening to the man
who taught Torah so differently
on this Sabbath.
Ready to resume her bound life
stooped by infirmity
the ground her horizon
not really listening
a nudge
eyes looking at her
eyes seeing her
he speaks
this rabbi
from Nazareth
“daughter come here”
She has been seen
she has been seen!
Bewildered
she stoops forward in
pain and shame
eyes down in
pain and shame
bound and silent.
“Woman, you’re free!”
And as he touches her
the bonds snap releasing
her bent body releasing
her shame and
she is slowly lifted
from
within
God’s mercy and love
gently raise
her head
her eyes lift
to see the world
anew
Behold
his words
his touch
she is resurrected
freed to live once more
a daughter of Abraham.
Her eyes lift to see
her new horizon
and meets the eyes of one
who is so small
who stands
in outraged indignation.
“God is not honoured in this,
to live Torah we honour
keeping this day holy we honour
be gone
come another day
to be healed
this is God’s day of rest
There is no honour in this!”
She sees his stoop
the bonds tightening
as he stands tall
there is no honour.
His obedience binds
His loyalty blinds
his horizon shrinking
as he speaks
there is no honour here.
She has been here
She will not go back.
As the rabbi replies
with stern words inviting
lives lived in God’s mercy and grace
honouring God in our forgiving and love
she wobbles in the revelation
she is
a daughter of Abraham
restored
upright
seen
even by herself.
Behold
Her horizon is wide
marked
by all that God is
mercy
grace
forgiveness
generosity
love.
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