Jesus demonstrated not just the power and authority, but also the liberating love of God each time He reached out to people who were shackled by physical and emotional sickness, personal weakness and sin, or those possessed by some evil power. It took but a word from Jesus to instantly release the woman from her infirmity, in today’s narrative. The Jewish leaders were indignant that Jesus was carrying out the ‘work of healing’ on the Sabbath, the holy day of rest. They were so caught up in their ritual observance of the Sabbath that they lost sight of God’s mercy and goodness. The Sabbath Law did not stop Jesus; He was the merciful face of God, who does not restrict His mercy and love to six days of the week!

We are - each one of us - God’s children and St. Paul exhorts us to imitate God; this is best done by being loving and forgiving like He is.

Am I the visible loving presence of God to people around me?