Jesus Affirms our Dignity in the Face of Empty Arguments

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 Today's Gospel reading (Lk 13) recounts Jesus' sabbath healing of the woman bent over. The synagogue official protests,

“There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”

Jesus calls out their hypocrisy, 

“Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” 

The Gospel continues:

"When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him."

Jesus reminds us that our dignity and importance are far above that of animals - permitted to be tied, untied and led to water in exception to Sabbath rest laws. We are sons and daughters of the Most High, made in the image and likeness of God. 

In the first reading (Eph 4:32-5:8), St. Paul tells us, "Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient."

Let us not be deceived by "empty arguments" based on questionable theories, practices or lies that undermine the dignity of God's children. Such theories, practices and lies - proclaimed as truths and enshrined in unjust laws - create hardship and instill burdensome fear among trusting people. 

Jesus is our answer. His Gospel always honours the dignity of every member of His body. He is our Way, our Truth and our Life. The world suggests that there are other means to attain this dignity - these are "empty arguments" that lead to dead ends. Jesus is Lord. He alone has the words of everlasting life.

Reading Link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102422.cfm 

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