Stooping God

A reflection on this week's gospel about the woman who couldn't stand up straight. (Luke 13:10-17)

Shuffling along always looking down

unable to stand up straight

Noticing all the traffic on the street:

Feet striding past

shod in boots and shoes and sandals

stepping out briskly or dragging along

skipping or tripping

disturbing the litter strewn on the ground

lifted and laid by the breeze

avoiding the cracks in the stone slabs

and the gum ground in by other feet

Observing the cigarette ends -

those with lipstick

those smoked down to the very last gasp

and those tossed down still reeking

their rancid fumes.

Looking down

but catching, in all the greyness

the vibrancy and colour

that rushes past

The reflections in the shiny surfaces

the clouds and rainbows in the puddles.

Flashes of glory in eyes cast down.

Glimpses of God in the detritus of the street.

Healing becomes possible when God stoops down

and looks into the eyes

of a woman weighed down by life.