Daily Readings - Sun Oct 09 2022
2 Kings
14Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.16But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.17And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
2 Timothy
8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Luke
11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
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.