Set free on the Sabbath Day

The institution of the Sabbath as a day of rest (Gn 2:2) was meant to recognize God's creative action and to acknowledge his continuing providence over his creation.

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The concept of the Sabbath rest has been extended to the Sabbatical Year, when the land is left to lie in fallow in order to recover its nutrients, and to continue to give its blessings to humanity. In a way, the restoration of the hunched woman to wholeness also means the return of her dignity.

Among God's creatures, man has a special place in his eyes. The psalmist exclaims: “What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him little less than a god, crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, put all things at his feet” (Ps 8:57).

The woman’s “liberation” from the brokenness— often attributed to sin—marks God’s “work of love” and providential care over his children. This is above the provisions of the Sabbath law. The woman is a daughter of Abraham, a member of God’s chosen people.