Although sin brought evil into this world, we must be careful not to accuse the woman in the gospel of any personal sin. We know neither the casue nor the nature of the affliction which forced her into a stooped position. The gospel tells us only that she was quite incapable of standing erect in that posture of dignity which sets humans apart from animals.Jesus cured the woman on the sabbath, that day on which God rested from His work of creation. Even though the chief of the synagogue objected, the day was a fitting one. God had created all things good, and Jesus showed that He had come to heal the wounds which had been inflicted on creation.

Jesus through the forgiveness of our sins has lifted us up and given us the ability to stand erect in personal worth and dignity. Now He rightly expects that we will live in accord with the dignity He has given us. That is what St Paul had in mind when he wrote, "Follow the way of love, even as Christ loved you." A life of sin is a contradiction of the way of love. Every sin is not only an offense against God but a blow against our own dignity. Sin demeans us and pushes us downward towards a stooped position. In that posture we become self-centered, quite incapable of looking up to God or even outward to our neighbours. This is being in darkness. A person who is in darkness cannot see either God or others.