Ministry of Congregational Singing

“Who is this woman so weak and bent over?

Why has she entered the temple today?

Does she not know that ‘her kind’ are forbidden?

What does she want? Has she come here to pray?”

These are the questions the pious ones whispered;

such are the things frightened minds want to know.

Then came a voice with authority, saying,

“Woman, stand up! You are healed! Free to go!”

After the word of the Lord had restored her,

still the authorities hastened to say,

“Six days suffice for such healings and mercies.

Let her return on the specified day.”

Jesus rebuked their indignant behavior,

“Hypocrites! When were you blameless and pure?”

Jesus still speaks to the bent-over people,

tending the wounds only justice can cure.