See beyond the rules!

"'Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.' He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God."
Luke 13:12-13

Jesus is challenging the synagogue authorities (again) in this reading when he heals the woman bent over. He "sets her free" from her bent-overness and the authoirities tsk-tsk that he should have done this on a Tuesday, for example, instead of the Sabbath. But Jesus likens the healing of the woman to caring for a loved one, as she most certainly is, as a "daughter of Zion." He challenges the authorities to look beyond the rules and see the real human beings suffering among them. Don't let the rules get in the way of you helping them! Jesus points out that they care for their animals on the Sabbath, why not care for human beings, our sisters and brothers? When I read this, I think of our mission to care for all of God's children among us, not just those who believe what we believe or look as we look. Maybe we are to look beyond the "rules" and help those fleeing persecution and looking to us for help. Maybe the immigration and refugee "rules" are keeping us from seeing God's children who need us, because all we see are the rules? Food for thought this Monday morning! Blessings and love, heidi