Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 26,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Luke 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over, completely unable to stand erect. When Jesus saw her, He called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she stood up straight and at once glorified God.  But the leader of the synagogue was upset by Jesus’ healing on the sabbath and said to the crowd, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”

The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Which of you on the sabbath will not untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it to water? This daughter of Abraham has been bound for eighteen years by Satan. Ought she not to be set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” When he had said this, all his critics were humiliated. The whole crowd rejoiced at the splendid deeds done by him.

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

Can I be overly “legalistic”? Do I put love of the LORD and others atop rituals?

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus cures a woman on the sabbath. Then he uses the occasion to teach those present. Jesus does not abolish the sabbath command, but rather He fulfills it by restoring the woman and teaching those present that day that the LORD never forbids a loving response to another’s need. The sabbath, as Jesus teaches us, is a day of praise for our LORD and rest from unnecessary labor, but lovingly tending to another in need is not unnecessary labor.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

LORD, You are Lord of the Sabbath and Lord of all days. All my days are gifts from You. Grant that I may use them well in service to You, in love of You and my sisters and brothers. Keep me from rigidly following routines to the detriment of right relationships. Give me the vision to see You in others and to your love for them. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more