Daily Readings - Mon Mar 16 2020
2 Kings
1Naaman, the leader of the military of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man with his lord. For through him the Lord gave salvation to Syria. And he was a strong and rich man, but a leper2Now robbers had gone out from Syria, and they had led away captive, from the land of Israel, a little girl. And she was in the service of the wife of Naaman3And she said to her lady: "I wish that my lord had been with the prophet who is in Samaria. Certainly, he would have cured him of the leprosy that he has.4And so, Naaman entered to his lord, and he reported to him, saying: "The girl from the land of Israel spoke in such a manner.5And the king of Syria said to him, "Go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." And when he had set out, he had taken with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand gold coins, and ten changes of fine clothing6And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, in these words: "When you will receive this letter, know that I have sent to you my servant, Naaman, so that you may heal him of his leprosy.7And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his garments, and he said: "Am I God, so that I could take or give life, or so that this man would send to me to cure a man from his leprosy? Take notice and see that he is seeking occasions against me.8And when Elisha, the man of God, had heard this, specifically, that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent to him, saying: "Why have you torn your garments? Let him come to me, and let him know that there is a prophet in Israel.9Therefore, Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots, and he stood at the door of the house of Elisha10And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will receive health, and you will be clean.11And becoming angry, Naaman went away, saying: "I thought that he would have come out to me, and, standing, would have invoked the name of the Lord, his God, and that he would have touched the place of the leprosy with his hand, and so have healed me12Are not the Abana and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel, so that I might wash in them and be cleansed?" But then, after he had turned himself away and was leaving with indignation13his servants approached him, and they said to him: "If the prophet had told you, father, to do something great, certainly you ought to have done it. How much more so, now that he has said to you: ‘Wash, and you will be clean?’ 14So he descended and washed in the Jordan seven times, in accord with the word of the man of God. And his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child. And he was made clean15And returning to the man of God, with his entire retinue, he arrived, and stood before him, and he said: "Truly, I know there is no other God, in all the earth, except in Israel. And so I beg you to accept a blessing from your servant.
Luke
24Then he said: "Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country25In truth, I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elijah in Israel, when the heavens were closed for three years and six months, when a great famine had occurred throughout the entire land26And to none of these was Elijah sent, except to Zarephath of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow27And there were many lepers in Israel under the prophet Elisha. And none of these was cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.28And all those in the synagogue, upon hearing these things, were filled with anger29And they rose up and drove him beyond the city. And they brought him all the way to the edge of the mount, upon which their city had been built, so that they might thrown him down violently30But passing through their midst, he went away
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, humility, and God’s universal mercy. In the first reading from 2 Kings, we encounter Naaman, a powerful military leader from Syria who suffers from leprosy. Despite his wealth and status, Naaman is directed by a young Israelite servant girl to seek healing from the prophet Elisha in Samaria. Initially, Naaman is offended by Elisha’s simple instruction to bathe seven times in the Jordan River, but eventually, he humbles himself and follows the prophet’s words, resulting in his miraculous healing. This story underscores the importance of trusting in God’s providence, even when His ways seem mysterious or unconventional.
In the Gospel, Jesus references Naaman’s story during His preaching in the synagogue at Nazareth. He points out that during the time of Elijah, God’s mercy was extended not to the widows of Israel but to a widow in Sidon, and during Elisha’s time, it was not an Israelite but Naaman, a Syrian, who was healed of leprosy. This message angers the people of Nazareth because it challenges their assumption that God’s blessings are reserved exclusively for them. Jesus’ words remind us that God’s love and mercy are not limited by nationality, race, or social status. His grace is universal, and He often reveals Himself to those who are unexpected and marginalized.
These readings call us to examine our own hearts and attitudes. Like Naaman, we may find ourselves resistant to God’s ways because they do not align with our expectations or pride. Yet, true faith requires humility and openness to His plan, even when it seems strange or uncomfortable. Similarly, like the people of Nazareth, we may struggle with the idea that God’s mercy extends beyond our own circle. Today’s readings remind us that God’s love is not confined to us; it is for all people. Let us ask for the grace to embrace this truth with humility and generosity of spirit, trusting in His providence and living as instruments of His universal love.