1. Curing on the Sabbath Day

(Adaptation from Lk 13: 10-17)

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath and a crippled woman was there. An evil spirit had bound for eighteen years so that she could not straighten up at all.
The chief of the synagogue, a Pharisee was just waiting to see if Jesus would cure her. His name was Aminadab. There entered another Pharisee, a friend of the chief. They were both not only good friends, but staunch in their orthodox beliefs and practices. His name was Mesach.
Jesus went on teaching and his eyes turned towards this woman once in a while with some sympathy. The situation was a bit tense.

Following the eyes of Jesus, Mesach noticed the woman and was surprised to see her there. How did she manage to reach this place? She was none other than his own sister! His heart grew heavy. How many years she had been in this condition! All the prayers and medical attention were in vain. Mesach began to hope that Jesus might just…!

Jesus said: “Woman, who are you?”
“I am Deborah, Lord.”
“How long have you been sick?”
“Eighteen years.”
“Would you like to be cured?”
Aminadab interfered saying: “There are six days in which to work; come on those days to be healed and not on the Sabbath!”
Mesach butted in immediately: “Aminadab, my dear friend, we shall ask Jesus to cure her.” The brother in him got the better of the Pharisee in him.
Aminadab: “But Mesach. I am surprised. You know the law. This cannot be done on a Sabbath.”
“Well, use your brains. There are exceptions!”
“You are twisting the law Mesach. We must respect the commandments of Yahweh. I know she is your sister, but...”
Mesach now began to shout. “You are a hypocrite. Do you not unite your cow and donkey even on the Sabbath and lead them out to give them water?”
“They are poor animals and without water for an entire day they will become weak!”
“Oh, yea! I know your sympathies are more with animals than with people.”
“You are crossing the limit Mesach.”
“Who is being unreasonable? You can unite your cow on the Sabbath, because it is your cow. Who is more precious in the eyes of the Lord, the cow or the human person?”
Aminadab was fuming but said nothing.
Mesach continued: “Here is a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound for eighteen years. Should she not be untied from here bonds just because it is Sabbath?”
“But Sabbath is sacred to the Lord.”
“Come on man! It is sacred, fine. But the Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath.”
“I am surprised Mesach. Is that you, the orthodox Pharisee?”
“Yes, that is me,” he said stubbornly.
Jesus who was watching with interest now burst out laughing. He never imagined that his own saying would reach the mouth of a Pharisee!
He got up, walked over to the woman, put his hand on her head and said: “Deborah, you are freed of your infirmity.” Immediately she was made straight and praised God.
Jesus turned to the two pharisaical friends: “I have made her straight. To chase out the evil spirit possessing her has been easy. What about you?”
All those present, particularly Aminadab and Mesach felt ashamed and lowered their heads!