Monday of Third Week in Lent, March 12, 2007

Scripture: II Kings 5:1-15; Psalm 42:2-3;43:3-4. Luke 4:24-30

A Jewish slave girl is really the hero of the cure given to the warrior of
Syria named Naaman. He has leprosy and this unnamed servant who was
captured tells him that the prophet Elisha will be able to free him from
his affliction. He eventually is convinced and prepares well for it with
all sorts of gifts, but Elisha is worried that should he not be able to do
this then it would me disaster for him and the Israelites. However, Naaman
is sincere and did really follow the advice of the Hebrew girl. He is
astonished to hear that he is to bathe seven times in the murky and shallow
waters of the Jordan. His own rivers are so more splendid with rushing
clear water. Why bathe in such an undramatic way in the lowly Jordan? He
gives in and does the ritual and voila! his skin is a pure and soft as that
of a baby. God's ways are not our ways and in the end all things we are
called to do are graces from God. Naaman found this out and a girl was
the hero in trusting him to Elisha, the disciple of the great miracle
worker prophet named Elijah.

Jesus is again teaching in a synagogue and he refers to both Elisha and
Elijah. In fact, he is talking about the same miraculous cure of Naaman.
Thus the Scriptures blend in their message of trusting in the prophets and
those close to God. Some prophets even have the gift of healing. However,
the people are incensed at Jesus' remarks knowing that he is chiding their
lack of trust and faith. They just do not listen to him who also is a
prophetic voice of God and a healer. We recently recall that the parable
of Lazarus and the rich man is somewhat similar to what is being said by
Jesus. The rich man asks Abraham to tell his brothers to listen to the
words of the Law and the Prophets. They of course do not. Nor did they
believe in the Resurrection. We need to follow the example of the girl
slave and to trust in the healing power of God in our lives. That is what
Lent is all about. Let us pray today, "Lord Jesus, healing Savior, Son of
God, have mercy on us." Amen.