A Spirit that Cripples

A  Spirit that Cripples
Pentecost 11; Luke 13:10-17
She still came there for worship although so bowed down:
“Bound by Satan!” they whispered through eighteen long years,
Her bent back was a symbol of burdens she bore, 
the rules which gave women no voice for their tears.

Her staunch faith was not vanquished by what pulled her down,
though she’d given up hoping that someone would see,
but Jesus had eyes that were drawn to her pain
and his was a mission to set others free.

So that woman stood straight and gave voice to her praise,
though they said that in worship no woman may speak,
and they claimed on the Sabbath nobody should heal,
but both Jesus and woman refused to be meek.

Many women through long years have felt as though bent
in places of worship where all should stand straight.
Where all should be valued, their gifts were ignored:
they knew God was calling but men made them wait.

They could clean, arrange flowers, wash linen, wash up;
they might study the Scriptures, but not dare to preach;
some could set up the altar, but not consecrate
and with women and children perhaps they might teach.

But a spirit that cripples is never from God
and no gender or colour negates Jesus’ call.
It’s not Satan that binds but abuses of power
and the arrogant ones are most likely to fall.

Jesus answered the leaders and put them to shame
but their anger would fester and lead to the cross.
Where one crowd is rejoicing, one person set free,
there is hope resurrection is worth cruel loss.
	Barbara Messner 21/08/2025