A heartfelt meditation on Luke 13:10–17, exploring how Jesus heals, restores dignity, and calls us to lift the burdens of those around us with love and mercy. (27-10-25)
Praise be to Jesus Christ
There was once a poor man who stole some things from a bishop’s palace. The police caught him and brought him to the bishop, expecting him to be punished. The man’s head was bent in shame and fear. But the bishop did something unexpected. He said to the police, “These things were meant for him. I had intended to give them to him as gifts.” In that moment, the man’s head lifted. He walked away straightened, not just in body but in heart. Mercy had changed him.
In today’s Gospel, we see a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years. Her body was trapped by illness, but her life had been bent in many other ways as well. She carried the weight of pain, neglect, and loneliness. Jesus notices her. He calls her forward and tells her she is healed. The word that touches me most in this story is “straightened.” To be straightened is not only to stand tall physically; it also implies being upright in one’s character. It is to be freed inside, to feel light again, to breathe after carrying a hidden weight for so long.
Think about our families. How often do we carry invisible burdens? A mother who works all day but rarely hears a thank you. A father, weighed down by worries, keeps to himself. A child struggling quietly to meet expectations. Even in our prayer and religious life, we can become distorted. Prayer may feel like a duty, rules may seem burdensome, and our hearts may feel weary.
Jesus shows us how to straighten others. We do it not by criticising or judging, but by showing mercy. We do it by keeping company with those who are side-lined or ignored. A kind word, a listening ear, helping someone quietly, or simply spending time with those who feel unseen can lift a bent heart. Sometimes, merely being present is what allows a person to get back on track.
The Old Testament also illustrates this. God often notices what the world overlooks. Samuel is sent to anoint David, not because he looks strong or tall, but because God sees his heart. Like Jesus, the bishop in the story notices the poor man. Mercy and understanding make the person straight, restoring dignity and freedom. Saint Teresa of Avila reminds us that the soul grows cramped when it clings too tightly to fear, guilt, or worry. To straighten someone spiritually is to help them feel God’s love and freedom.
In our homes, workplaces, and communities, we can make a difference. We can see the unseen, lift hidden burdens, and embrace those who feel ignored. Like Jesus, we straighten others with patience, kindness, and mercy, not with judgment.
And we must also allow Jesus to straighten our own hearts. Let us give Him our fears, regrets, and hidden burdens, so that He can make us free. Then we will have the strength and love to help others, walking together in mercy, joy, and hope.
Lord, help us never to enslave or oppress anyone
