Daily Readings - Mon Mar 16 2020
2 Kings
1Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.2Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife.3She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."4Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.5"By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing.6The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy."7As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!"8When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel."9So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house.10Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."11But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.12Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.13Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!"14So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.15Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant."
Luke
24"I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown.25I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land.26Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.27And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian."28All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this.29They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.30But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.
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.