GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
The Kingdom of God: Lk 13,10-21
This episode begins with a healing story and controversy (13,10-17) and it is then followed by two short parables (13,18-21). First, consider the unity given to these verses in the text itself. Later we can consider how the parables (verses 18-21) develop the message of the healing (verse 10-17).
Then make a comparison with Matthew 13,31-35 What has Luke done differently here? (Mark 4,30-34 is similar to Matthew but there is a notable omission.)
Look now at my response.
The Healing of the Crippled Woman: 13,10-18
What does verse 10 tell us? Look back to 4,16. Also look at 6,6 as well as the healings of 11,14 and 14,2. See how this healing compare with those three.
"Crippled by a spirit" in verse 11: the meaning of this can be seen in verses 12 & 16. We are well used by now to the cause of illness in this Gospel, going all the way back to 4,39.
How long had the woman been bent over? See 13,4. See also 8,42-43. The woman is bent over, perhaps we shall see what else might be bending her over: see Judges 3,14 and 10,8. What does Jesus do - see 4,40? What does she do?
Verse 14 speaks of the leader of the synagogue. For a different attitude by a synagogue leader look at Jairus in 8,41.
For the synagogue leader's reasoning, we can take a look at the different motivations given for the sabbath in Deuteronomy 5,12-15 and Ex 20,8-11.
What is Jesus' logic in verses 15? Then how does he take his argument much further in verse 16?
"Daughter of Abraham" is an unusual expression but see 19,9. What is the significance of Jesus giving the woman this title?
How can we understand verse 17 in light of 12,56 and 13,15?
Time now for my response.
Two parables: Lk 13,18-21
The parable of the mustard seed is introduced by "therefore" as we have noted. What is the message of the parable in this setting? Who might the birds of the air be?
The parable of the woman with the leaven or yeast whilst pairing a story about a woman with that about a man, takes a different view of the kingdom of God. How does it contrast with the previous parable?
Go now to my response.
FINALLY
The healing of the crippled woman, 13,10-17, is a story special to Luke and yet is never used in the Sunday readings. One wonders why.
You may like to reflect on this:
"In recent years this story has become a paradigm for women's liberation from all that bends them double and holds them in bondage. This woman's eighteen years of suffering have become symbolic of the more than eighteen centuries of patriarchal burdens that women have carried..."
Barbara Reid: "Choosing the Better Part? Women in the Gospel of Luke"
Then look at my response.
We are now ready for further developments as we read on to the second half of the chapter, 13,22-35.
.