About ten to fifteen years ago, I woke up one morning and realized that I could not stand up straight. Each time I tried, I felt pain in my abdominal area. I hadn’t made any lesson plans for class the day before because I felt fine. I decided to go into the shower and see if I felt any better but didn’t. I did not want to disturb JoAnn and continued my morning routine hoping and praying that whatever was going on would release.

When it didn’t, I figured I would see if I could walk to the car and sit to drive. I was able to do so as long as I did not sit all the way back. I drove to school figuring that I would get everything set up, put together some lesson plans, then ask for a substitute, and get to the doctor. As I arrived, pulled into my parking spot, and then got out of the car, I attempted to stand and still could not. It was hard to walk because I was leaning so far forward to keep the pain in check. As I was getting things set up in my classroom, all of a sudden it released.

I don’t know what caused the issue, the experience did not return, nor has it ever happened again. I was grateful and thanked God that it passed, and I was able to teach that day.

What I experienced was only a few hours. The woman in today’s gospel account suffered with her condition of not being able to stand up straight for eighteen years until the day Jesus called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God (Luke 13:12-13).

 Jesus comes to us this morning and wants to heal us as well; to free us from any and all that keeps us bound, whether it be physically, emotionally, psychologically, and/or spiritually. Let us open our minds to receive his love, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. I pray that you may experience the consolation, freedom, healing, joy, and love of Jesus today!

Photo: Experiencing the consolation and joy of the Lord during a night Rosary walk. St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for Monday, October 30, 2023