Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Our lesson today is another account of Jesus falling foul of the Pharisees and Scribes in interpretation of the so called rules of the Sabbath. 
Elsewhere in  Luke's Gospel we have similar stories: one where his disciples eat ears of corn on  the Sabbath and are criticised; another when he heals a man with a withered arm and a third when he visits the home of senior man in the temple and heals a man with dropsy. Pharisees muttering against him.
There is a danger in all our lives that we pay too much attention to the form and too little to the substance in life.  The problem is how to get the balance right. 
" Consuming means, soConsuming means, soon preys upon itself. With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds: That England, that was wont to conquer others, Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.on preys upon itself. With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds: That England, that was wont to conquer others, Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.
Thus at present we band of sisters and brothers have to deal with the Quinquennial; Safeguarding Rules; Rural dean's Visitation ( first for 20 plus years) 
We have to think about fire extinguishers and an electrical testing. 
But may be that's easier than going out to preach the Gospel or increase our pastoral work. 
Prejudice dies hard.  Old so and so and at school, can't possibly do anything good in life. 
 " Can any good come out of Nazareth? " Syndrome. 
Yesterday I spent some time with two people, one 33 the other 40.  whose lives have been changed by an understanding that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. They were looking into their future and wondering where it would lead.  But they were full of optimism. 
I drove the car; they talked to each other and I threw in the odd question. 
As for the woman in the Gospel reading to-day, I like to think now that her back was cured, that she went out and helped others to change their lives for the better. 






