Hope Springs from Below: The Woman Who Couldn’t Stand Up

Abstract

The drama of the healing of the doubled-over woman in the synagogue (Lk 13:10-17) is presented in the light of exegetical studies. She is identified as one of the ‘anāwîm, the stooped and the bowed down, the poor who totally depend on God to relieve them in their misery and in whom they put all their hope and trust. More specifically, she is representative of all women who are oppressed. Her healing is an eloquent expression of the Kingdom of God. Hope is outlined as a constant throughout salvation history. Its characteristics are examined in relation to the virtues of faith and love. The Spirit works our salvation from below and the poor are mediations of salvation to the world, which leads us to affirm that hope springs from below and overflows, as seen in the life of the woman who sprang up and intoned God’s praises.

KEYWORDS: Doubled-over woman. ‘Anāwîm. Kingdom of God. Hope. Salvation.