Why would the leader of the synagogue be “indignant” that Jesus cured a woman on the sabbath? She was crippled for eighteen years! Was he not instead, supposed to rejoice and give thanks that Jesus cured this woman? Imagine, especially, her family members. If they were present when Jesus healed her on the sabbath, would they have immediately thought, “How dare Jesus do this healing of our mother, wife or sister on the sabbath?” Of course not! They would have rejoiced and been filled with awe, gratitude, and even tears. They would have seen her many years of suffering and shared them with her through years of compassion. This normal reaction that her family would have had upon witnessing this miracle is the right response. And, of course, the reaction of the leader of the synagogue was deeply disordered. Scrupulosity is a tendency to see God and His holy will through the lens of legalism. “Legalism” is not just being faithful to the Law of God, because that is a good thing. Legalism is a misinterpretation of God’s Law by which one tends to put more emphasis upon themselves than upon God. Scrupulosity leads more to be concerned with sin than with God Himself. And though it’s vital to be concerned with sin, when fear of sinning becomes a form of obsession, then it has the effect of clouding the pure will of God and leaves a person heavily burdened, unable to joyfully live out the authentic will of God. Let’s reflect on the example of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. She was one saint who openly shared her struggles with scrupulosity in her autobiography. Of this struggle, which she referred to as “oversensitivity,” she said, “One would have to pass through this martyrdom to understand it well, and for me to express what I experienced for a year and a half would be impossible.” However, she eventually experienced what she called a “complete conversion” by which the heavy burden of oversensitivity was lifted. May we always understand Lord Jesus, your infinite love for us and always walk freely and joyfully in Your ways. Blessings. Fr. Mussie