THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR A
2 Kings 4:9-11,14-16; Ps 88:
Rom. 6:3-4,8-11; Mtth 10:37-42
GOD STEPS IN
The readings for this Sunday are beautiful.
The first reading from 2kings 4:8-11,14-16 is a story about a Shunammite woman who had an encounter with the prophet of God. One day on his way to Shumen, the prophet met a woman who invited him to her house to rest and eat. The prophet after this, would often pass by the house when he was in the area. She went further to build a place for Elisha so that he would rest properly anytime he came around.
What strikes me at first glance through the reading is the fact that it is mentioned that the woman was a rich and influential woman. She had everything. It is not common to acknowledge a woman as being rich and influential especially in the Bible. The powerful women we hear of in scripture are mostly queens. This is a woman who has everything but had one challenge; She had no child.
In the old Testament there are two conditions that make people think that they have been cursed by God;
The first one was leprosy. It was viewed as a curse from God which is a result of sin.
The second was barrenness. It was considered a terrible thing not to have children. This was because it brought an end to a line of descent.
The problem of this woman is not only that she does not have a child, it’s compounded with the fact that, the husband is also old. When Elisha asked the woman what she wanted, her answer is very deep. She says, “I live among my own people” (2kings 4:13). What she meant was that I have no need of anything. And I have born the torture, ridicule and name calling from my own people about my situation. It seemed to her that all hope was lost. For this reason, she found it difficult when the prophet declared that she would have a son.
The situation of this Shunammite woman is an impossible one. It seems she has come to her wits end as they say. She may have sought solutions to her barrenness but to no avail. At this point in her life she has gotten used to her problem, the taunting and the catcalling of people. When the prophet asked what she needed, she says she has no problem.
When we face problems that drive us to the point of resignation, when it all becomes impossible, it is time for God to take over. I don’t know what you have been going through in your life, but with the authority of the Word of God, I declare that, God is stepping in and he is taking over. In Gen 18:1-15, God literally stepped in to the tent of Abraham and Sarah to solve their problem. God is taking your issue personal, he is stepping in himself.
How can we also receive such visitation and blessings as the Shunammite woman?
We must have ability to perceive.
In 2kings 4:10, the woman told the husband, ‘I perceive that the man who is constantly passing is a Holy man of God…’ to perceive is the ability to discern and become conscious of something or someone. Each one of us need this ability to perceive the divine presence and visitation. Sometimes you may find yourself at a church or listening to the Word of God without planning for it. It takes this gift of perception to be conscious of the fact that God may be speaking to you even when you were unready or didn’t plan for it. In the normal course of things God can speak to you and lead you in a certain direction. You need this ability of the Shunammite woman to recognise divine visitation. May the Lord grant you spiritual perception.
Support the Work of God.
The woman upon sensing that Elisha was a holy man of God, decided to build a place for him so he could rest whenever he uses their area on his journey. Generosity towards the work of God and the Church is very important. It is indeed an act of thanksgiving – recognizing that all we have is from the Lord. When we support the church and her ministers out of our resources, the Lord will bless us. Jesus speaks about it in today’s Gospel when he says, ‘anyone who welcomes you welcomes me…he will most certainly not lose his reward’ (Matth. 10:40,42b). When we support the work of God, with our substance, the Lord also will bless us. Paul says when we are generous in this way, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. (2Cor.9:8).
I believe that it is no coincidence that the name of the woman was not given. This is because, her story is our story also: when we have come to our wits end, when our strength is totally grained and when we begin to accept and feel comfortable with our problems, God visits us. It is important then, to have the ability to perceive such divine moments. We must also be open and generous especially for the cause of God.
Elisha means “my God is salvation”. I do not know what you are going through now but I have a message for you: God is your salvation and he is about to step into your situation and take over. The next time I hear from you, may your mouth be filled with laughter.
God bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
