Ever hear that phrase? Remember teen dances. I remember the chaperones at my high school prowling the dance floor and reminding dancers to leave room for the Holy Spirit. In other words, don’t get too close to your partner. I was surprised to hear that this phrase was used in secular schools just as it was in my parochial high school. 

This Sunday’s gospel reminded Father Bob of that phrase and a different interpretation of the message.  How would Luke 13:10-17 remind him to “leave room for the Holy Spirit?”

In this passage, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. A woman, crippled for over eighteen years, appears and Jesus cures her. On the Sabbath! The leader of the synagogue lays into both Jesus and the woman for this activity. Reprimanding Jesus for “working” on the Sabbath and the woman for not coming to be cured on any other day but the Sabbath.

The Jewish traditions concerning the Sabbath had been practiced for centuries. The script was well established. By curing the woman on a Sabbath, Jesus went off script-He left room for the Holy Spirit to enter and relieve her suffering.

This action was not meant to diminish the sanctity of the Sabbath, but to allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate a new way of living. One that incorporates compassion, kindness, and consideration of the individual’s needs. When we leave room, we can feel the influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Father Bob made an interesting point about being led by the Holy Spirit. As we are being led forward, we are also being led away. We are being led away from the familiar and the comfortable into the unknown, into a mystery. This can be unsettling. A new level of trust is necessary to follow into areas that may cause confusion and fear.

This was what the Jewish leaders were experiencing at the time of this gospel event. This is what we are experiencing today in our own world as we move from traditional practices to an expanded view of our mission as Christ’s followers.

Our God loves every one of us unconditionally. Following the Holy Spirit, trusting in the Holy Spirit, praying to the Holy Spirit will bring us into a wonder-filled new life. Leave room for the Holy Spirit!

Terri