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.
Perhaps you woke up this morning feeling bent over and unable to stand. Perhaps you have felt that way for the last four years. Today may not feel as healing or satisfying as you had hoped.
If you have spent some time in Baltimore City, you may also recognize that more than a few people in this city have been bent over and unable to stand for much longer than 18 years.
As we struggle with the unknown of this election, the unknown of what is next, the frustration of things not being politically what we might desire - we should have the humility to remember that many of our friends and neighbors have been struggling with much deeper fundamental problems for a long time. Some of us are still waiting for that healing touch, for the freedom to stand up and walk.
So let’s be gentle with each other and ourselves today. Spend time outside, offer prayers, read scripture, call someone you love, do some tangible good if you can. Then let’s get back to the work of liberation. On Sunday I preached about freedom, and the freedom found in the Beatitudes, in the humility of seeing where God’s attention is and is not, and putting our attention there. In striving for justice, for healing, for hope.
And When Jesus called for healing of this woman the powers that be said NO! Now is not the time! This is a special day, we will deal with that later.
But for that woman, for many women, for many people - these special days don’t matter because if you can’t stand then you can’t sing then you can’t worship then you can’t… be. (I should note that this is both a physical and spiritual affliction. Jesus is not being ableist here! This is a spiritual healing that results in a physical healing). If we don’t as Children of God seek to provide examples of healing and hope, of justice raining like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream, then we should be surprised when the days we call people to action, those that are left behind don’t come. Jesus heals, on Jesus time, and all we are called to do is walk along in love with those seeking it.
So after you have rested, recuperated, vented, and caffeinated…. let’s walk together. Because for better or for worse, there is little else that most of us can do as the ballots are counted this election. But the work of Justice only increases from here on out - not just in the streets, but in the church and in our hearts.