Sundays at All Hallows (August 24, 2025)
When Jesus walked the earth, what he did and what he said did not make everyone happy. Those who became his disciple saw the hand of God in what he did and heard the voice of God in what he said. They may not have realized it at first, but it stirred something within them and drew them to him. Others like the leader in charge of the synagogue in this Sunday’s New Testament reading reacted differently. What Jesus did and what he said rubbed them the wrong way. It did not fit with their own beliefs and practices.
Even in our time there are those who, while they identify themselves as Christian, are not happy with Jesus’ teaching and example. It does not fit with their beliefs and practices either. Unhappy with Jesus of the Bible, they follow a Christ of their own making.
Now I am not singling out any particular group. Indeed, we ourselves may be susceptible to this temptation. Jesus said, “love your neighbor as yourself.” We think. He cannot mean those folks, not them. But Jesus call us to give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow him. No “I’ll follow you here, Jesus, but not there.” No picking and choosing.
In this Sunday’s message we unpack this Sunday’ New Testament reading, Luke 13:10-17, and its meaning and implications for modern-day followers of Jesus.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Anne Crosby Gaudet’ arrangement of the American folk hymn tune RESIGNATION for solo harp.
Silence
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in
spirit and truth. John 4:24
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and
just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8,9
So let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and humbly confess our sins.
Silence
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have left undone what we ought to have done,
and we have done what we ought not to have done.
We have followed our own ways and the desires of our own
hearts.
We have broken your holy laws.
Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us;
restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared to mankind in Jesus
Christ our Lord.
And grant, merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may live a godly and obedient life,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon
and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their
sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open our lips, O Lord;
And we shall declare your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
Let us praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Come Let Us Praise the Lord (Psalm 95).”
1 Come, let us praise the Lord,
with joy our God acclaim,
his greatness tell abroad
and bless his saving Name.
Lift high your songs
before his throne
to whom alone
all praise belongs.
2 Our God of matchless worth,
our King beyond compare,
the deepest bounds of earth,
the hills, are in his care.
He all decrees,
who by his hand
prepared the land
and formed the seas.
3 In worship bow the knee,
our glorious God confess;
the great Creator, he,
the Lord our Righteousness.
He reigns unseen:
his flock he feeds
and gently leads
in pastures green.
4 Come, hear his voice today,
receive what love imparts;
his holy will obey
and harden not your hearts.
His ways are best;
and lead at last,
all troubles past,
to perfect rest.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jean Cotter’s “Psalm 103: The Lord Is Kind And Merciful.”
The Lord is kind and merciful;
the Lord is kind and merciful,
slow to anger,
rich in kindness.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
1 Bless the Lord; O my soul;
all my being bless God's name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
forget not all God's blessings.
The Lord is kind and merciful;
the Lord is kind and merciful,
slow to anger,
rich in kindness.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
2 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, full of kindness.
God is good to all creation,
full of compassion.
The Lord is kind and merciful;
the Lord is kind and merciful,
slow to anger,
rich in kindness.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
3 The goodness of God is from age to age,
blessing those who choose to love.
And justice toward God's children;
on all who keep the covenant.
The Lord is kind and merciful;
the Lord is kind and merciful,
slow to anger,
rich in kindness.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
Silence
Merciful Lord,
as we come from dust and return to dust,
show us the face of our Redeemer,
that in our frailty we may bless your name
and praise you all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Ministry of the Word
A reading from the Book of Isaiah
Isaiah 58:9-14
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
“Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Silence.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Owen Alstott and Bernadette Farrell’s “Blessed Be the Lord, the God of Israel (Benedictus Dominus Deus).”
1 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
Who brings the dawn and darkest night dispels
Who raises up a mighty Savior from the earth
Of David′s line, a Son of royal birth
2 The prophets tell a story just begun
Of vanquished foe and glorious vict'ry won
Of promise made to all who keep the law as guide
God′s faithful love and mercy will abide
3 This is the oath once sworn to Abraham
All shall be free to dwell upon the land
Freed now to praise, unharmed by the oppressor's rod
Holy and righteous in the sight of God
4 And you, my child, this day you shall be called
The promised one, the prophet of our God
For you will go before the Lord to clear the way
And shepherd all into the light of day
5 The tender love God promised from our birth
Is soon to dawn upon this shadow'd earth
To shine on those whose sorrows seem to never cease
To guide our feet into the path of peace
6 All glory be to God, Creator blest
To Jesus Christ, God′s love made manifest
And to the Holy Spirit, gentle Comforter
All glory be, both now and evermore
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke
Luke 13:10-17
One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!
But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”
But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”
This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle “God We Praise You! God We Bless You! (Te Deum).”
1 God, we praise You! God, we bless You!
God, we name You sovereign Lord!
Mighty King Whom angels worship,
Father by Your church adored:
All creation shows Your glory,
Heaven and earth
draw near Your throne,
singing "Holy, holy, holy,"
Lord of hosts and God alone!
2 True apostles, faithful prophets
Saints who set their world ablaze
Martyrs once unknown, unheeded
Join one growing song of praise,
While Your church on earth confesses
Isaiah 58:9-14
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
“Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Silence.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Owen Alstott and Bernadette Farrell’s “Blessed Be the Lord, the God of Israel (Benedictus Dominus Deus).”
1 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
Who brings the dawn and darkest night dispels
Who raises up a mighty Savior from the earth
Of David′s line, a Son of royal birth
2 The prophets tell a story just begun
Of vanquished foe and glorious vict'ry won
Of promise made to all who keep the law as guide
God′s faithful love and mercy will abide
3 This is the oath once sworn to Abraham
All shall be free to dwell upon the land
Freed now to praise, unharmed by the oppressor's rod
Holy and righteous in the sight of God
4 And you, my child, this day you shall be called
The promised one, the prophet of our God
For you will go before the Lord to clear the way
And shepherd all into the light of day
5 The tender love God promised from our birth
Is soon to dawn upon this shadow'd earth
To shine on those whose sorrows seem to never cease
To guide our feet into the path of peace
6 All glory be to God, Creator blest
To Jesus Christ, God′s love made manifest
And to the Holy Spirit, gentle Comforter
All glory be, both now and evermore
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke
Luke 13:10-17
One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!
But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”
But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”
This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle “God We Praise You! God We Bless You! (Te Deum).”
1 God, we praise You! God, we bless You!
God, we name You sovereign Lord!
Mighty King Whom angels worship,
Father by Your church adored:
All creation shows Your glory,
Heaven and earth
draw near Your throne,
singing "Holy, holy, holy,"
Lord of hosts and God alone!
2 True apostles, faithful prophets
Saints who set their world ablaze
Martyrs once unknown, unheeded
Join one growing song of praise,
While Your church on earth confesses
One majestic Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
God our hope eternally.
3 Jesus Christ, the King of glory
Everlasting Son of God
Humble was Your virgin mother
Hard the lonely path you trod:
By Your cross is sin defeated,
Hell confronted face to face,
Heaven opened to believers,
Sinners justified by grace.
4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious,
You will judge the world You made.
Lord in mercy, help Your servants
For whose freedom You have paid.
Raise us up from dust to glory,
Guard us from all sin today,
King enthroned above all praises,
Save Your people, God we pray.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us dean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Let your merciful ears, Lord God,
be open to the prayers of your people;
and so that they may obtain their petitions,
make them to ask such things
as will please you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Frederick W. Faber’s “There Is a Wideness in God’s Mercy.”
1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in His justice,
Which is more than liberty.
2 There is no place where earth’s sorrows
Are more felt than up in Heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings
Have such kindly judgment given.
3 For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of our mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.
4 But we make His love too narrow
By false limits of our own;
And we magnify His strictness
With a zeal He will not own.
5 There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the Head.
6 There is grace enough for thousands
Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
In that upper home of bliss.
7 If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all gladness
In the joy of Christ our Lord.
Maybe one or both of your parents were real sticklers for rules. One or more of your grandparents or other relatives. Your teachers. Your friends’ parents. When it came to enforcing rules, they were unbending. They never made allowances for circumstances. They never made an exception to a rule.
Well, almost never. When it came to themselves, they acted as if they operated by a different set of rules. They had one set of rules for you and other people and another of rules for themselves.
The leader in charge of the synagogue was one of those kinds of people as were many of the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law we meet in the Gospels. They expected their co-religionists to strictly follow the rules of their religion but had thought up all kinds of ways of bending the rules for themselves.
From Jesus’ reaction to the leader’s words, it is evident that there were others of a like mind to that of the leader’s in the congregation. They objected to Jesus healing the crippled woman on the Sabbath, but they had no qualms about watering their livestock on the Sabbath. They were able to rationalize their own actions in their own mind. Jesus addresses them a hypocrite because they say one thing but do another. They set a high standard of behavior for other people but do not apply that standard to themselves.
While meditating upon this Sunday’ gospel reading, it struck me that what motivated those whose Jesus addressed as hypocrites to water their livestock on the Sabbath was not concern for the animals’ wellbeing but self-interest. To them the animals were valuable property. Oxen were used to pull plows and carts. Donkeys to carry riders and other burdens. They could be used to increase the wealth of their owners. The Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law were also concerned about how other people perceived them, that they be seen as righteous, a perception which they had of themselves.
Both they and their co-religionist were familiar with Proverbs 12:10: “The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.” This proverb provided them in their own way of thinking not only with a way of rationalizing their actions but also a way of reinforcing how they desired their co-religionists to perceive them and how they perceived themselves.
In healing the crippled woman on the Sabbath Jesus set an example for his disciples and for us, one which stressed the importance of being merciful regardless of the occasion. In his teaching Jesus had repeated on at least two occasions (Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7) the words that God spoke through the prophet Hosea, “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices” (Hosea 6:6). Earlier in the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus gave this command to his disciple and to us, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:36). Some translations render this passage as “You must be merciful....” In this Sunday’ New Testament reading Jesus was both compassionate and merciful.
In the compassion and mercy that Jesus showed the crippled woman, he revealed the character of God. In the Gospel according to John, in John 14:8-10, is recorded this conversation between Philip and Jesus:
“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’
“Jesus replied, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you. Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.”
Jesus embodied what the Bible reveals to be God’s character: “I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” (Jonah 4:2) Jesus made God known by his character as well as his words and actions.
What is the difference between compassion and mercy? A compassionate person experiences a strong feeling of sympathy and even sadness at other people’s suffering or misfortune and a desire to help them. A merciful person is willing to be kind to someone or to forgive that person even though they are free to do neither. They are not restrained in any way to show them kindness or forgiveness.
People who lack empathy, “the ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation,” have difficulty in showing compassion and mercy. Instead, they are apt to how indifference or even cruelty and unkindness toward other people.
Empathy, some pastors and teachers mistakenly confuse with over-identification, a very strong feeling that we are similar to someone and that we can understand that person or their situation because of this, in a way that may be harmful or unhealthy. As a consequence, they treat empathy as a vice and not a virtue. They even use their negative view of empathy to rationalize behavior that conflicts with Jesus’ teaching and example.
In this Sunday’s New Testament reading we have an example of the compassion and mercy that Jesus showed throughout his earthly ministry, healing the sick, expelling demons, feeding the hungry, and raising the dead, the compassion and mercy he taught his disciples to show to all people.
On the night he was betrayed. Jesus even showed compassion toward his betrayer. He gave Judas food before sending him into the night. Jesus restored the ear of the servant of the high priest who was with those who came to arrest him. Dying on the cross, he entrusted his mother to the care of John. He promised one of the thieves who was crucified with him that he would be in paradise with him. He asked the Father to forgive those who crucified him.
Let us not forget that He who now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, has known hunger and thirst. He has felt the heat of the summer day and the cold of the winter night and the agony of the whip and the nail. He has suffered as we have and can empathize with our suffering. He has experienced the fear of death and death itself.
Silence
[Let us pray for those holding public office.]
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
guide and govern, we humbly pray
all who hold public office in this land
(especially...):
that all things may be ordered
with fairness, kindness, and humility,
to the honour of your holy name,
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your Spirit of saving grace on all Christian people,
Bless our bishops, clergy, and congregations and
pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing
that they may truly please you.
Grant this, Lord, for the honour of Jesus Christ
our advocate and mediator.
Amen.
[Let us pray for all peoples and give thanks for God’s goodness.]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for te welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it by your Holy Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians
may be led in the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Gracious God, we humbly thank you
for all your gifts so freely bestowed on us,
for life and health and safety,
for freedom to work and leisure to rest,
and for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life.
But, above all, we thank you for our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
for his death and resurrection,
for the gift of your Holy Spirit,
and for the hope of glory.
Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
God our hope eternally.
3 Jesus Christ, the King of glory
Everlasting Son of God
Humble was Your virgin mother
Hard the lonely path you trod:
By Your cross is sin defeated,
Hell confronted face to face,
Heaven opened to believers,
Sinners justified by grace.
4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious,
You will judge the world You made.
Lord in mercy, help Your servants
For whose freedom You have paid.
Raise us up from dust to glory,
Guard us from all sin today,
King enthroned above all praises,
Save Your people, God we pray.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us dean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Let your merciful ears, Lord God,
be open to the prayers of your people;
and so that they may obtain their petitions,
make them to ask such things
as will please you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Frederick W. Faber’s “There Is a Wideness in God’s Mercy.”
1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in His justice,
Which is more than liberty.
2 There is no place where earth’s sorrows
Are more felt than up in Heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings
Have such kindly judgment given.
3 For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of our mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.
4 But we make His love too narrow
By false limits of our own;
And we magnify His strictness
With a zeal He will not own.
5 There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the Head.
6 There is grace enough for thousands
Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
In that upper home of bliss.
7 If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all gladness
In the joy of Christ our Lord.
Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman
Maybe one or both of your parents were real sticklers for rules. One or more of your grandparents or other relatives. Your teachers. Your friends’ parents. When it came to enforcing rules, they were unbending. They never made allowances for circumstances. They never made an exception to a rule.
Well, almost never. When it came to themselves, they acted as if they operated by a different set of rules. They had one set of rules for you and other people and another of rules for themselves.
The leader in charge of the synagogue was one of those kinds of people as were many of the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law we meet in the Gospels. They expected their co-religionists to strictly follow the rules of their religion but had thought up all kinds of ways of bending the rules for themselves.
From Jesus’ reaction to the leader’s words, it is evident that there were others of a like mind to that of the leader’s in the congregation. They objected to Jesus healing the crippled woman on the Sabbath, but they had no qualms about watering their livestock on the Sabbath. They were able to rationalize their own actions in their own mind. Jesus addresses them a hypocrite because they say one thing but do another. They set a high standard of behavior for other people but do not apply that standard to themselves.
While meditating upon this Sunday’ gospel reading, it struck me that what motivated those whose Jesus addressed as hypocrites to water their livestock on the Sabbath was not concern for the animals’ wellbeing but self-interest. To them the animals were valuable property. Oxen were used to pull plows and carts. Donkeys to carry riders and other burdens. They could be used to increase the wealth of their owners. The Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law were also concerned about how other people perceived them, that they be seen as righteous, a perception which they had of themselves.
Both they and their co-religionist were familiar with Proverbs 12:10: “The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.” This proverb provided them in their own way of thinking not only with a way of rationalizing their actions but also a way of reinforcing how they desired their co-religionists to perceive them and how they perceived themselves.
In healing the crippled woman on the Sabbath Jesus set an example for his disciples and for us, one which stressed the importance of being merciful regardless of the occasion. In his teaching Jesus had repeated on at least two occasions (Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7) the words that God spoke through the prophet Hosea, “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices” (Hosea 6:6). Earlier in the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus gave this command to his disciple and to us, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:36). Some translations render this passage as “You must be merciful....” In this Sunday’ New Testament reading Jesus was both compassionate and merciful.
In the compassion and mercy that Jesus showed the crippled woman, he revealed the character of God. In the Gospel according to John, in John 14:8-10, is recorded this conversation between Philip and Jesus:
“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’
“Jesus replied, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you. Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.”
Jesus embodied what the Bible reveals to be God’s character: “I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” (Jonah 4:2) Jesus made God known by his character as well as his words and actions.
What is the difference between compassion and mercy? A compassionate person experiences a strong feeling of sympathy and even sadness at other people’s suffering or misfortune and a desire to help them. A merciful person is willing to be kind to someone or to forgive that person even though they are free to do neither. They are not restrained in any way to show them kindness or forgiveness.
People who lack empathy, “the ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation,” have difficulty in showing compassion and mercy. Instead, they are apt to how indifference or even cruelty and unkindness toward other people.
Empathy, some pastors and teachers mistakenly confuse with over-identification, a very strong feeling that we are similar to someone and that we can understand that person or their situation because of this, in a way that may be harmful or unhealthy. As a consequence, they treat empathy as a vice and not a virtue. They even use their negative view of empathy to rationalize behavior that conflicts with Jesus’ teaching and example.
In this Sunday’s New Testament reading we have an example of the compassion and mercy that Jesus showed throughout his earthly ministry, healing the sick, expelling demons, feeding the hungry, and raising the dead, the compassion and mercy he taught his disciples to show to all people.
On the night he was betrayed. Jesus even showed compassion toward his betrayer. He gave Judas food before sending him into the night. Jesus restored the ear of the servant of the high priest who was with those who came to arrest him. Dying on the cross, he entrusted his mother to the care of John. He promised one of the thieves who was crucified with him that he would be in paradise with him. He asked the Father to forgive those who crucified him.
Let us not forget that He who now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, has known hunger and thirst. He has felt the heat of the summer day and the cold of the winter night and the agony of the whip and the nail. He has suffered as we have and can empathize with our suffering. He has experienced the fear of death and death itself.
Silence
[Let us pray for those holding public office.]
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
guide and govern, we humbly pray
all who hold public office in this land
(especially...):
that all things may be ordered
with fairness, kindness, and humility,
to the honour of your holy name,
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your Spirit of saving grace on all Christian people,
Bless our bishops, clergy, and congregations and
pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing
that they may truly please you.
Grant this, Lord, for the honour of Jesus Christ
our advocate and mediator.
Amen.
[Let us pray for all peoples and give thanks for God’s goodness.]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for te welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it by your Holy Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians
may be led in the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Gracious God, we humbly thank you
for all your gifts so freely bestowed on us,
for life and health and safety,
for freedom to work and leisure to rest,
and for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life.
But, above all, we thank you for our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
for his death and resurrection,
for the gift of your Holy Spirit,
and for the hope of glory.
Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14
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