As you stand to hear this morning's gospel lesson, I invite you to bend forward as much as you can and listen to the story of the bent over woman from her perspective:

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day." But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. (Luke 13:10-17 NRSV)

As you straighten up and sit down, reflect on how different it is to hear the words of this story from the perspective of the bent over woman; what it is like to proclaim in response to my saying this is the word of the Lord, "thanks be to God." This season, the TV show Grey's Anatomy had a story line about Heather, a girl with severe curvature of the spine. Heather's attitude gave me some thoughts about what the bent over woman might have been like to deal with. Listen to part of the dialogue from that show as the doctors are discussing treatment options for Heather:

Heather: What are you all staring at? Really, if you expect me to be the brave and heartwarming differently abled girl, that isn't going to happen. So go ahead and do your thing.
Bailey: Stevens.
Izzie: Heather Douglas, 17. Past medical history of VADER syndrome.
Bailey: Which is?
Izzie: Vader syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the vertebra, anus, trachea, esophagus and renal system.
Heather: Wow, give this girl a medal. She memorized the whole acronym. Which I assure you is a hell of a lot easier than living with it.
Izzie; Oh hey, you need some help?
Heather: I can walk to the bathroom myself. I've been doing it my whole life and nothing's changing anytime soon so just get out of my way, OK?
(Grey's Anatomy dialogue from "Six Day's Episode")

There are many places to go with this morning's texts, for today I want us to consider the theme of being singled out. Both the bent over woman and the prophet Jeremiah are called out. Neither of them would have been considered "God's spokespersons." The bent over woman, as both female and physically disabled would have been invisible to others. Jeremiah dismisses God's call by saying he is only a boy. In church we are used to speaking in generalities – we are called by God, we are forgiven and so on. Remember that in the "royal we" there is you and me – we are reminded of that in the stories of individuals we read about in our texts. This morning we are particularly reminded in the stories of Jeremiah and the bent over woman. Even in the midst of their both real and perceived limitations, God's attention comes to them. God says to Jeremiah in effect: "do not dismiss my call by saying you are only a boy, you will go out and speak my words." Jesus sees the bent over woman praying in the synagogue and simply says to her: "woman you are free."

In their being called out we are reminded that God doesn't see us as we see ourselves. We tend to look at the "can'ts." Those things that we feel limit us from freedom. We carry the wounds of circumstance; we carry self-imposed limitations. We attempt to box in God and decided for ourselves how and when and under what circumstances God can act in our lives and in the lives of others. And when God singles us out for something we attempt to dismiss our ability to serve … dismissing God in the process by protesting like Jeremiah: "But, I'm only a boy … I'm only a … " (fill in the blank for yourself.) Twentieth century theologian, Douglas Steere writes: "God is always revising our boundaries outward." It is a reminder that God always sees beyond our limited vision … and in the love of Jesus Christ we find ourselves set free. Do not neglect the freedom we find in the love of Jesus Christ, do not dismiss the call of God. Not one of us is just "an only."

Earlier this week I met with Tyler in preparation for his baptism. As we were looking at the bulletin he noticed the birth date for his sister Stephanie was not correct in the baptism insert. He pointed that out to me. I have to admit I asked him if he was sure … he assured me that he was. Of course he knew when his little sister was born, and we were able to get things corrected in time for this morning's service. In his speaking up, I am reminded that we are all called by God to be the presence of God in the world. Tyler could have just remained quiet; and then when I questioned him, he might have backed off … but he did not. He did not think "I'm only a boy, who will listen." In that small example we are reminded that God's call is to each one of us. Each one of us has been singled out and called out by God … beyond whatever self-imposed, or family or culture imposed limitations we might feel bind us and keep us down.

In God's love we are called out, singled out and sent out free – to follow the claim of God's love … for ourselves and for the world. And when God singles us out, there is nothing that can keep us down as the children of God! As Jesus told the bent over woman: "Woman, you are set free!" In such freedom we are sent out to be the freeing presence of God's love in the world.