Today's Sermon in a Nutshell:

Once upon a time, some years ago, a family from a remote farming community was making their first visit to a big city. They entered a grand hotel and stood in amazement at the impressive sight. While the wife and smaller children stood at the front desk to check in, the father and his eldest son walked around to explore the massive interior. As they came to the alcove with a shiny, metal door, they'd never seen an elevator before, and just stared at it, unable to figure out what it was for. Just then an old lady hobbled towards the elevator, pressed a button and, when the doors opened, she went inside.

The doors then closed and, about a minute later, they again opened and out came a stunningly beautiful young woman. The father was wide-eyed and couldn't believe what he saw, and simply said to his son, "Quick, go get your mother!"

I think it's fair to say that a lot of us would love to get a makeover just that quickly; to step into an elevator and step back out a new person – younger, thinner, happier, more beautiful or handsome. The bent-over woman in today's reading was probably feeling the same way. But quite often, there is much more to being bent over than a simple physical affliction, so Jesus' healing ministry is also aimed at alleviating the manifold burdens of life.

While Christ's compassionate heart uplifts those bent-over by the physical and emotional suffering due to sickness, pain, disease, paralysis, and addictions,  the Holy Scriptures have proven that His immeasurable love is always on the side of those who are bent over by sin, loneliness,  grief, loss of hope, and feelings of helplessness.

Yet bear this in mind: the woman in today's gospel never sought out Christ; Jesus found her. Therefore, we too, must seek out those who are bent-over by sin and the cares of this world and bring them healing, freedom, and relief through the love and power of Jesus Christ!

Fr. John