ACC ~ Luke 13 v10 - 13

GOD ALLOWS SATAN AND SIN TO BIND THIS WOMAN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “There was in the synagogue a woman who for eighteen years was bowed down by infirmity.” Her case may prove to be of great benefit to those who have understanding. We must gather what is to our advantage from every quarter. By what happened to her, we may see that Satan often receives authority over certain persons who fall into sin and have grown lax in their efforts toward piety. Whomever he gets into his power, he may involve in bodily diseases since he delights in punishment and is merciless. … The accursed Satan is the cause of disease to the human bodies, just we affirm that Adam’s transgression was his doing, and by means of it our bodily frames have become liable to infirmity and decay. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96. [1]

[1] CGSL 390**.

THE INFIRM WOMAN LIKE A VINE

AMBROSE: The members of the church are similar to this vine. They are planted with the root of faith and held in check by the shoots of humility. … He placed in the church a tower of apostles, prophets and doctors who are ready to defend the peace of the church. He dug around it when he had freed it from the burden of earthly anxieties. Nothing burdens the mind more than concern for the world and lust for either wealth or power.

An example of this is in the Gospel. We can read the story of the woman “who had sickness caused by a spirit, and she was bent over so that she was unable to look upwards.” In fact, her soul was bent over. It inclined to earthly rewards and did not possess heavenly grace. Jesus saw her and addressed her. She immediately laid aside her earthly burdens. These people also were burdened with lusts. He addressed them in these words, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” [1] The soul of that woman breathed once more and stood up like a vine around which the soil has been dug and cleared. SIX DAYS OF CREATION 3.50. [2]

[1] Mt 11:28.

[2] FC 42:104-5*.

JESUS OVERCOMES DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The incarnation of the Word and his assumption of human nature took place for the overthrow of death, destruction and the envy harbored against us by the wicked Serpent, who was the first cause of evil. This plainly is proved to us by facts themselves. He set free the daughter of Abraham from her protracted sickness, calling out and saying, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” A speech most worthy of God, and full of supernatural power! With the royal inclination of his will, he drives away the disease. He also lays his hands upon her. It says that she immediately was made straight. It is now also possible to see that his holy flesh bore in it the power and activity of God. It was his own flesh, and not that of some other Son beside him, distinct and separate from him, as some most impiously imagine. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96. [1]

[1] CGSL 391**.