Catholic Homily for October 27, 2025
Proven Hope for Who Couldn’t Look Up
Imagine living for 18 years unable to stand up straight. Every day, this woman could only see the ground in front of her feet. She couldn’t look people in the eye. She couldn’t see the sky. She couldn’t watch children playing or birds flying.
For nearly two decades, her world had been reduced to dirt and shadows.
But on this particular Sabbath, everything changed.
While everyone else in the synagogue was focused on the religious service, Jesus noticed her. Not just noticed – He really saw her. He saw past her bent back to her broken spirit. He saw past her physical condition to her human dignity.
And then He did four amazing things:
1. He Saw Her
When everyone else looked past her or maybe felt sorry for her, Jesus truly saw her as a person worth healing.
2. He Called Her Forward
“Woman, come here.” He didn’t make her stay hidden in the back. He brought her into the center of attention.
3. He Touched Her
With His hands, He reached out and made physical contact – something that probably hadn’t happened with gentleness in years.
4. He Set Her Free
“You are freed from your disability.” Just like that, 18 years of bondage ended.
Immediately, she stood up straight and began praising God.
The Rule-Keeper Who Missed the Point
But not everyone was happy about this miracle.
The synagogue leader was upset: “There are six days for work. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath!”
In other words: “This is wonderful that you’re healed, but you should have scheduled your miracle for a more convenient time.”
Jesus wasn’t having it.
His response was brilliant: “You hypocrites! Don’t you untie your ox or donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead it to water? Then shouldn’t this daughter of Abraham, who has been bound by Satan for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day?”
What Jesus Was Really Saying:
- “You care more about your animals than this woman”
- “The Sabbath is supposed to be about freedom, not more bondage”
- “If it’s okay to untie an ox, why not untie a person?”
What the Sabbath Is Really For
Jesus reveals something powerful here: The Sabbath isn’t about following rules – it’s about experiencing freedom.
Sabbath Is for Freedom:
The original point of the Sabbath was to give people a break from bondage – first from slavery in Egypt, then from the endless demands of work and worry.
Worship Is for Mercy:
When we gather to worship, it should be a place where healing happens, not where people get judged for needing help.
Rules Should Serve Love:
Religious rules are supposed to help people connect with God and care for each other. When rules become more important than people, they’ve become idols.
The Spirits That Bend Us Over Today
We may not have the same physical condition as this woman, but many of us are walking around bent over by invisible burdens:
The Spirit of Fear:
- Always looking down because we’re afraid of what might happen
- Unable to see the good things God has in store
- Stuck in worry about things we can’t control
The Spirit of Shame:
- Bent over by guilt about past mistakes
- Unable to look people in the eye because we feel worthless
- Convinced we don’t deserve love or forgiveness
The Spirit of Resentment:
- Bent over by anger about how others have hurt us
- Unable to see the good in people because we’re focused on their faults
- Carrying grudges that weigh us down
The Spirit of Depression:
- Bent over by sadness that won’t go away
- Unable to see hope or joy
- Feeling like life will never get better
When we’re bent over by these spirits, we stop seeing God clearly. We stop seeing other people as neighbors to love. Our world becomes small and dark.
Christ Still Calls Us to Stand
The good news is that Jesus is still in the business of straightening people out.
Just like He did with this woman, He wants to:
- See you fully – not just your problems, but your dignity and worth
- Call you forward – bring you out of hiding into His healing light
- Touch you – make real contact through His grace
- Set you free – break the power of whatever is keeping you bent over
Three Ways to Respond to His Healing
If you’re ready to stop walking around bent over, here’s how to cooperate with Jesus’ healing power:
1. Come Forward – Bring Your Pain into His Light
Stop hiding what’s wrong:
- In prayer, be honest about what’s bending you over
- With trusted friends or counselors, talk about your struggles
- In confession, bring your shame and guilt to God
- Don’t wait for a more convenient time – come forward now
Just like the woman had to move from the back of the synagogue to the front, you have to move from hiding your problems to bringing them into the light.
2. Receive His Touch – Let God’s Grace Reach You
Allow God to make contact through:
Confession:
Let a priest speak God’s words of forgiveness over the shame that’s been bending you over.
Prayer:
Spend time letting God’s love reach the places in your heart that have been twisted by fear or anger.
The Laying On of Hands:
Through prayer with others, anointing with oil, or simply receiving a blessing, let God’s healing power touch you physically.
Don’t just think about God’s healing – receive it through the concrete means He provides.
3. Praise God – Use Your Freedom to Help Others
When the woman was healed, she immediately began praising God. When you experience God’s healing:
- Thank Him publicly for what He’s done
- Tell your story to encourage others who are bent over
- Use your freedom to serve people who are still trapped
- Become a sign of hope that God still heals today
Your healed life should become proof that God is still in the business of setting people free.
Let the Lord Untie What Binds You
Just like Jesus asked about untying an ox, He wants to untie whatever has you bound:
What Needs to Be Untied in Your Life?
- Guilt from past mistakes
- Fear about the future
- Anger toward people who hurt you
- Shame about who you are
- Depression that makes everything look dark
- Addiction that controls your choices
Jesus has the authority to untie these things. But you have to come forward and let Him do it.
Let His Mercy Define Your Sabbath
When you gather for worship, don’t just go through the motions:
- Expect God to do something healing
- Be open to receiving His mercy
- Look for people who need encouragement
- Remember that worship is about freedom, not performance
Church should be a place where bent-over people get straightened out, not where they get more rules to follow.
Let Your Standing Become a Sign
When God heals you and helps you stand straight:
- Other people will notice the change
- Your joy will be contagious
- Your story will give hope to people who are still bent over
- Your life will become evidence that God still works miracles
The woman’s healing didn’t just help her – it amazed everyone who saw it. Your healing can do the same thing.
You don’t have to spend another 18 years bent over. Jesus sees you. He’s calling you forward. He wants to touch you and set you free. The question is: Will you come forward and let Him heal you, or will you stay bent over in the back where it’s safe but dark?
A Prayer for Those Who Are Bent Over
Jesus, You see me even when I’m bent over by fear, shame, anger, or sadness. You know how long I’ve been walking around unable to see the sky or look people in the eye. I’m tired of being bound by things that keep me from living freely. Come to me like You came to that woman. Call me forward out of hiding. Touch me with Your healing grace. Set me free from whatever spirit has been bending me over. Help me stand straight and praise You. Use my freedom to encourage others who are still bent over. Let my life become a sign that You still see and heal. Amen.
❤️ Thank You dear friend, hope this reflections touched you. 🙏 Please do not forget to share with your loved ones this october 27 homily.
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