Looking into the lectionary - A blessing of the backpacks

August 24, 2025 Luke 13:10-17 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost In Sister Outsider, Audre Lorde contends that naming the roots of pain, suffering and injustice is critical for healing and transformation. Lorde differentiates unexamined suffering from that which is named: “Pain is an event, an experience that must be recognized, named, and then used in some way in order for the experience to change, to be transformed into something else, strength or knowledge or action.” Naming pain and suffering is also very much akin to the Buddhist notion of mindfulness of the roots of suffering. In The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh explains the Second Noble Truth of Buddhism in this way: “After we touch our suffering, we need to look deeply into it to see how it came to be. We need to recognize and identify the spiritual and material foods we have ingested that are causing us to suffer.” An adage that can be drawn from these insights is that whatever we don’t name, we reinscribe. In other words, if we don’t name suffering and injustice for what they are – suffering and injustice – they become normalized. I wonder if something similar is happening in Luke 13:10-17. The bent woman’s illness is linked to a crippling “spirit” (v. 11) and satanic bondage (v. 16). The story reveals an apocalyptic worldview where humans are caught in a struggle between the destructive powers of evil and the life-giving power of God. There are death-tending forces in the world that disfigure and diminish human life and all creation. And these forces are fighting on this woman’s back! Furthermore, this has been going on for 18 long years, and no one has named it so that healing and liberation could occur. The word “apocalyptic” originates from the Greek noun apokalypsis and the verb apokalyptō, both of which refer to revelation or revealing — words that also carry nuances of unveiling, exposing, unmasking and disrupting. So, what Jesus is doing in this story is exposing the power and systems of evil that are diminishing the woman so they won’t continue to be reinscribed, and the result is liberation. However, the fact that Jesus exposes these evil forces after the woman suffered for 18 years shows how often suffering and injustice are normalized — sexism, racism, homophobia, classism and authoritarianism can become so ingrained that they seem normal, so much so that it can be shocking when someone finally exposes it. The debate regarding the timing of Jesus’ healing of the woman, specifically whether it should occur on the Sabbath or at another time, may be considered a valid point of intra-Jewish discussion. However, the appropriateness of performing the healing itself is generally not in question, as it constitutes an essential aspect of ministry. ... Thank you to this week's writer, Roger Gench. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Order of worship — August 24, 2025, by Roger Gench The ministry of excess space by John A. Bolt Blessing of the backpacks by Jess Rigel How love, faith, and community made my nursing dream possible by Alejandra Barrera In temples and churches, sensory rooms remove barriers for neurodivergent worshipers by Kathryn Post Summer reads: Faith, formation, and spiritual growth by Amy Pagliarella Want the worship resources for August 10, 2025? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Reading in a frenetic world Dartinia Hull reflects on the lasting power of words to awaken truth, dignity and freedom. The Rev. Jihyun Oh calls for urgent accountability in the devastating crisis in Gaza In a letter, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency calls for 10 actions ‘grounded in the Gospel.’ Are AI sermons ethical? Clergy consider where to draw the line. Much of the debate involves grappling with the question of whether AI is being used as a replacement for a sacred human project or whether it's a tool in the service of that project. — Deena Prichep Free hymn: “God Is Our Only King” A free hymn with sheet music by Scott Barton. Finding home: How love, faith, and community made my nursing dream possible Alejandra Barrera's journey to become a nurse was transformed by unexpected friendships, a loving church, and God’s quiet provision. Beloved Presbyterian composer Hal Hopson dies at 92 Over his remarkable career, Hopson published more than 3,000 works.