Daily Readings - Sun Oct 09 2022
2 Kings
14So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.15Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant."16But he said, "As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none." And he urged him to take it, but he refused.17Then Naaman said, "If not, please let there be given to your servant two mules' load of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD.
2 Timothy
8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;13if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.
Luke
11On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance13and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."14When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed.15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;16and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.17Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"19And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, gratitude, and the transformative power of God's grace. The first reading from 2 Kings tells the story of Naaman, a Syrian general, who, despite his initial doubts, humbles himself and follows the prophet Elisha's instructions to bathe in the Jordan River. This act of faith leads to his healing from leprosy. Naaman's subsequent refusal to offer sacrifices to other gods and his request for soil from Israel signify his conversion and deepening faith in the one true God.
The second reading from 2 Timothy emphasizes the enduring power of the Gospel and the importance of faithfulness. St. Paul, despite being imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, remains steadfast in his commitment to Christ. He reminds us that our union with Christ brings both the promise of eternal life and the call to share in His sufferings. Paul's words encourage us to remain faithful, even in the face of adversity, knowing that God's fidelity endures.
In the Gospel, Luke presents the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus. While all ten are cured, only the Samaritan returns to express gratitude. Jesus' response highlights the importance of recognizing and thanking God for His blessings. This foreigner, often considered an outsider, demonstrates a deeper understanding of God's mercy and grace.
These readings remind us that faith and gratitude are inseparable. Naaman's healing required humility and trust in God's providence, while the Samaritan's gratitude reflects a heart transformed by God's mercy. In our daily lives, we are called to approach God with humility, to trust in His plan, and to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving. May we, like Naaman and the Samaritan, allow God's grace to transform us and may our lives be marked by faith, gratitude, and a deep love for Him.