The readings of the day speak of the need to live a life in the Spirit of God. In the Gospel, Jesus reprimands the synagogue authorities for their scrupulous way of interpreting the law. The sabbath's purpose, as Jesus sees it, is fulfilled not by forbidding works of compassion, but by encouraging them. In healing the crippled woman, Jesus did not break the Sabbath; He only broke the scrupulousness of Jewish law concerning the Sabbath. In the practice of our own faith, we often do many acts of charity and penance. Maybe we need to ask ourselves whether in doing all this, we are acting out of love or merely fulfilling an "obligation" to ease our conscience?

We are called not to become hobbled by the letter of the law but to recognize its spirit. And only if we live a life in the Spirit, can we reach out in love. For, as St Paul says, "It is those who walk in the Spirit of God who are children of God."