ACC ~ Luke 13 v14 - 17

THE SYNAGOGUE LEADER TOOK THE SABBATH LITERALLY

AUGUSTINE: The whole human race, like this woman, was bent over and bowed down to the ground. Someone already understands these enemies. He cries out against them and says to God, “They have bowed my soul down.” [1] The devil and his angels have bowed the souls of men and women down to the ground. He has bent them forward to be intent on temporary and earthly things and has stopped them from seeking the things that are above. [2]

Since that is what the Lord says about the woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years, it was now time for her to be released from her bondage on the sabbath day. Quite unjustly, they criticized him for straightening her up. Who were these, except people bent over themselves? Since they quite failed to understand the very things God had commanded, [3] they regarded them with earthbound hearts. They used to celebrate the sacrament of the sabbath [4] in a literal, material manner and did not notice its spiritual meaning. SERMON 162B. [5]

[1] Ps 57:6.

[2] See Col 3:1.

[3] Ex 20:8-11.

[4] The text says “baptism,” but the editors reasonably suggest that it is a mistake for “sabbath.”

[5] WSA 3 5:167**.

THE SABBATH IS FOR FREEDOM FROM SIN AND SICKNESS

AMBROSE: Not understanding this, the ruler of the synagogue commanded that no one should be healed on the sabbath since the sabbath is an image of a future day of rest, days of rest from evil deeds, not from good works. It is commanded that, neither bearing the burden of offenses nor being devoid of good works, we shall celebrate future sabbaths after death. The Lord then is seen to reply spiritually when he says, “You hypocrites, does not every one of you on the sabbath day untie his ox or his donkey and lead them to water?” Why did Jesus mention another creature? He showed the future to his opponents, the rulers of the synagogue. The Jewish and the Gentile peoples would lay aside the thirst of the body and the world’s heat through the abundance of the Lord’s fountain. “The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s feeding trough.” [1] The people who were fed on the food of common hay, which before it is plucked up is withered away, [2] received the Bread that came down from heaven. [3] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.174-75. [4]

[1] Is 1:3.

[2] Ps 128:6 LXX.

[3] Jn 6:33.

[4] EHG 302**.

CHOKED WITH RAGE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “But he says that you are loosed from your infirmity, and she is loosed.” Well, do you not also unloose your belt on the sabbath? … Did she that very day begin weaving or working at the loom? No, he says that she was made straight. The healing was a labor. No, you are not angry because of the sabbath. Since you see Christ honored and worshiped as God, you are frantic, choked with rage, and waste away with envy. You have one thing concealed in your heart and profess and make pretext of another. For this reason you are most excellently convicted by the Lord, who knows your vain reasoning. You receive the title that fits you, being called hypocrite, pretender, and insincere. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96. [1]

[1] CGSL 392-93**.