October 25. “Would the world be a better place if the values of compassion and respect were the basis for all our lives and relationships? Surely that is more life-giving than focusing on ideas such as rights and dignity all the time?  Have they lost their meaning?”  The groups were asked to tease the questions out more deeply. “If we have true compassion we wouldn’t let anyone in pain suffer unnecessarily.”  “Funny, if you think of it, what is truly right is compassion and respect.”  “If our priests respected the laity more, women and men, and allowed them to take their rightful place maybe we would have greater respect for our priests too.” “I suppose those are all very real issues in the community today.”          Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on a sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for 18 years and she was bent over and could not straighten herself.  Jesus said to her, “Woman you are freed from your infirmity.”  But the ruler of the synagogue was indignant, but Jesus said, “Ought this woman whom Satan bound for 18 years be released from this bond on the sabbath day? Luke 13:10-17.  Pope Francis: Demands that the legitimate rights of women be respected, based on the firm conviction that men and women are equal in dignity, present the Church with profound and challenging questions which cannot be lightly evaded.  The function of ministerial priesthood is totally ordered to the holiness of Christ’s members. Its key is not power as domination but the power to administer sacraments. EG 104.Reflect, share, act and pray.    Have I been aware of the needs of the poor and the sick?