Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 9, 2022
First Reading: 2 Kings 5.14-17
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.
Psalm 98
1Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.3He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;5make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,6with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.7Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.8Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy;9let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2.8-13
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.
Gospel: Luke 17.11-19
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.