Daily Readings - Sun Oct 09 2022
2 Kings
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."16The prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.17"If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD.
2 Timothy
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.11Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;12if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;13if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Luke
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan.17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; 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.