Misplaced priorities ruin our lives!

October 27, 2025 Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Romans 8:12-17; Luke 13:10-17

St. Paul admonishes the Christians in Rome to allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God. Through the Holy Spirit, the Roman Christians have received a spirit of adoption. Because of this blessing, we can cry to God and address Him as “Abba! Father!” The same Holy Spirit will bear witness to our being children of God. Paul is convinced that as children of God we become heirs of God and in fact joint heirs with Christ. If Christians in Rome participate in the sufferings of Jesus they will certainly be glorified with Jesus. In the context of Neronian persecution this verse becomes even more significant. The Christians in Rome were also struggling with persecution within. The danger comes when they become debtors/victims to flesh and live according to worldly passions and desires.  That will only bring death. 

As per his custom, Jesus was in a synagogue on the Sabbath day. There appeared a crippled woman. She had an evil spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She could never walk straight. Jesus healed her and she began to praise God. The leader of the synagogue was indignant at both Jesus and the woman. He told them to get cured on other days rather than on the Sabbath day. Jesus addressed the leader of the synagogue and the crowd. If they could untie their ox or donkey or lead it away to the source of water, what was wrong if he set a daughter of Abraham free from the bondage of Satan? Human persons are more important than the animals. It is mercy over Law. This teaching of Jesus drew two different types of reactions. His opponents were put to shame while the entire crowd rejoiced at all the wonderful things that Jesus was doing. 

Call to Action: It is good to look into ourselves first before questioning others. Some questions can become self-inflicting.