Open Doors. Open Hearts.Sýnishorn

Disruption.

A woman comes to worship. She’s literally bent over at the waist. She can’t stand upright. Her eyes are permanently downcast and have been for almost a lifetime. As a woman in this society, she is a piece of property that has no power. As a woman crippled by an evil spirit—she has been declared sinful and a threat to the religious community—and yet, she’s still coming to worship. She has not abandoned her faith or her God.

Jesus sees her and says –‘Behold a woman.’

Be-hold: Focus! Pay attention!

For 18 years, people have avoided her like the plague—both with their eyes and their touch—and yet, Jesus sees her, brings her into the centre of the faith community, speaks to her, and gathers her in a healing God-embrace. She is restored.

When Jesus calls her a ‘Daughter of Abraham’, he gives her honour, dignity and social status. How outrageous!

The hospitality (on the Sabbath!) and the resulting miracle are not received well by the religious leaders. Scripture and the Law have clashed with love and hospitality.

Can you imagine the scene? A woman bent over is set free and stands upright. A woman from the margins strides to the centre of the synagogue—and she dances!

Talk about a disruption!

Being hospitable involves seeing and calling to the centre the unloved, the disfigured, the stranger—those on the margins. It involves wrapping them in a warm God-embrace and speaking words of respect, value and honour over them. It is here that the divine, transforming power of hospitality is displayed. It is here that healing, wholeness and hope are offered.

For reflection:

Who is on the edge, on the margins, of our faith communities?

Who needs us to see them, call them forward, include, embrace and honour them?

What are the blockages in our faith community that stop people from coming to Jesus?

A prayer for today:

Lord, give us eyes to see, a loving heart to embrace and include others, and the courage to offer hospitality—even when it causes a disruption.

AMEN