We are co-heirs of the Reign of God

Rom. 8:12-17, Lk. 13:10-17. In today's first reading, Paul is emphatic in his assertion that believers are truly children of God. Adopted children are raised from the their former ranks of being a slave and are given the full rights belonging to the family. They are heirs to the inheritance of the Parent. Since we have become adopted children of God, we are co-heirs of the divine Reign. We have a close, personal relationship with God. It is not just that God is our Master and we are His slaves or servants, we are truly part of the family of God. The duties we have should not be considered forced but willingly undertaken because the other family members who are our co-heirs of the Reign with us. Even our outreach to those who have not yet accepted God as their Father should be in a loving way with the hope that they will desire to be part of the family of God.

The cure of the stooped woman in today's Gospel, was one small step in the direction of this restored humanity. Such an act of healing renews our faith that God is still at work in us, to fulfil our stature as children of God. The faith of our crippled or handicapped neighbours can deepen our trust in the healing power of God. Jesus saw one such woman while teaching in the Synagogue one Sabbath day. He knew that tradition forbade any work to be done on the Sabbath, but He was instinctually drawn to help and heal, whenever His help was needed, whether on a workday or on the Sabbath. In the Law, the reason for not working on the Sabbath was to imitate the Creator. After the work of creation was complete, God “rested on the sabbath day” (Ex. 20:11). On this particular Sabbath, the creative, healing force within Jesus would not let Him rest until this ailing woman was restored to what she was meant to be. Seeing her, Jesus says a word of healing and laid His hands on her. He was guided by the certainty that the Sabbath was meant to bring people fullness of life. When the Synagogue ruler indignantly protests against healing on the Sabbath, Jesus gave a witty and common-sense reply: “You hypocrites. Which of you does not let his ox or ass out of the stall on the sabbath to water it? Should not this woman be released from her shackles on the sabbath?” Jesus remarks that this daughter of Abraham should be accorded a similar deed of kindness. God's loves us so much that He wants to share the divine Reign with us. God does not just want us to be part of the Reign in some subservient role, but as co-heirs of the fullness of the Reign, we are entitled to whatever belongs to us.
     
As we begin this new week, may we serve others in our work and may the Lord deepen our faith, strengthen our hope and enkindle our love! Amen!! Good morning and have a fruitful week!!!