TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR C
2 Kg 5:14-17; Ps 98
2 Tim 2:8-13; Lk 17:11-19
HUMILITY AND HEALING
Naaman was a commander of the Assyrian army, he was a mighty man of valour but a leper. He was an accomplished military officer who was admired and respected by all and even the king, but he had leprosy.
What is seen as leprosy at the time is different from the condition considered as leprosy today but the stigma and social exclusion is as it is today. Therefore, regardless of his military accomplishments he was still ceremonially unclean and would have experienced some level of stigmatization or isolation.
He came to the doorstep of the prophet with a show of power and wealth. He was a man who was accustomed to receiving homage of respect. Furthermore, he had the means and the power to influence the prophet if need be.
Does this not look like how things are done in the world?
But the ways of God are different. Our reading began as “Naaman went and plunged into the Jordan seven times”. It must be noted that the Jordan was more of a stream than a river and was nothing compared to the rivers in Damascus. But when we come before God the aesthetics do not matter. What matters is humility and submission.
A man of great reputation, social status and wealth as Naaman must disregard all that and submit to the Word of God through the prophet. His reputation, wealth and social status couldn’t make him whole. It is only an encounter with the power of God that makes us whole. This encounter with God is accessed when we count ourselves as nothing before the Lord.
We must all ask ourselves how we come before the Lord? Do we come into his presence with all the earthly accolades and self-regard? Are we humble enough to submit to the direction of God? We must all endeavour to imitate Naaman in his humility.
When he submitted to the prophet’s direction, he experienced his healing and restoration. The Word of God said that his body became as fresh as that of a baby. God heals. As he healed Naaman, may he heal you too today. May God heal you of every illness or disease that has brought you discomfort and shame. As you read this, you may be suffering from a sickness that is draining all your funds but you are finding no headway, I soak you in the blood of Jesus for your healing. May you be a point of contact for all your loved ones who are suffering; may they be healed by the blood of Jesus.
Naaman returned to the Prophet Elisha acknowledging God’s action in his life with thanksgiving. He came with gifts to offer gratitude to God. We must never forget to show gratitude to God. We must learn to offer thanksgiving for all his love and mercies on our lives.
When we learn to offer gratitude to God, we accept and recognise God’s goodness in our lives. It is a testimony of goodness and faithfulness. It also fills our hearts with gladness. It feels as if in giving God thanks, he completes our joy.
Especially for Catholics, we cannot give God thanks without the Mass. In deed the Mass is called the “Eucharist” which means “thanksgiving”. In the Mass we join our prayers of thanksgiving with that of Jesus. Like Naaman, when you go for Mass get some gift of thanksgiving for offertory. Never forget to fully and consciously participate in the celebration. Respond to the prayers, stand, kneel, sing and dance as well.
I must admit that sometimes, when we think about the troubles in our lives, we may not have any reason to thank God. But when we take some time and count our blessings, we would find many reasons to thank God. The truth is that God saves us from more than we suffer.
May your heart be full of humility and gratitude.
God bless you.
By Rev. Fr, Delight Arnold Carbonu
