Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time Archives - Page 3 of 3

Be grateful. It is good for our health. Doctors say so. Psychologists say so. Jesus approves of the leper who returns to thank him. St. Paul says to give thanks in all circumstances. As we allow the Holy Spirit to nurture within us a continual attitude of gratitude, life grows rich and meaningful. We see the world more appreciatively. Gratitude is good. Gratitude is healthy.

Naaman the Syrian is so grateful for his healing from leprosy that he wants two mule-loads of earth to take home to praise the God of Israel. What is that all about?

Scripture scholars tell us that Naaman believed that the power of a god is limited to a certain place, a particular territory. God connected to dirt . . . might that seem antiquated and a bit amusing to us nowadays?

But is there something that we moderns misunderstand or have lost sight of? We who have poured concrete over the richest soil on earth to create urban highways; we who philosophize God into abstract concepts that float like wisps into the sky . . . might a faith that flees the earth become rootless and artificial?

There is a sacredness to the earth in which we live. There is a blessedness to the ground on which we walk. We are created from dust and to dust we shall return. The incarnated God took on our flesh and became one of us, people of the earth.

Naaman was from Syria. The leper who returned to thank Jesus was from Samaria. Two “outsiders.” There are certainly holy places and sacred spaces in Israel, but the healing desire of the Creator is not limited to a location or to a particular people. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God!

The Lord gives us the earth for our flourishing. There is much to be thankful for in that.

Consider/Discuss

You wouldn’t just floss your teeth on the morning before your dentist appointment if you want your teeth to be healthy. Likewise, you don’t just throw fertilizer and mulch on your dirt in May when you put your marigolds into the ground if you want your plants to be vigorous. If you have “bad dirt,” then now, in October (in the northern hemisphere), is the time to do something about it. Throw in leaves. Throw in manure. Add compost. These earthy things are gifts from God to nurture the soil. What can you do to care for the earth this week, in gratitude to God for the gift of creation? What can you do to make “your” earth flourish?
Naaman the Syrian saw Israel as a holy place. God did promise Abraham a land and a people; God promised to be with him in that place; God promised to bless his descendants. Take some time each day this week to treasure and savor the land and the people that God has given to you.

Living and Praying with the Word

Creator of all, we look into the skies and we adore you. We look at the earth and we bless you. The mountains skip like rams in praise of you. You have made all that is good. You give health to the leper and food to the oxen. Give us a faith that loves the earth. How great you are! Holy Spirit, fill us with gratitude for the earth.

Naaman is an army commander in Aram, a land just to the north of the northern kingdom of Israel, and its enemy. Naaman also has leprosy. When an Israelite girl, captured in war and now serving Naaman’s wife, tells her about Elisha the prophet, Naaman goes to see him. Expecting some dramatic healing ritual, he becomes angry when he is told simply to wash in the small and unimpressive Jordan (5:1–12). But when his servants prevail upon him to give it a try, he is miraculously cured. The healing of a foreigner demonstrates the scope of the power and mercy of the God of Israel, such that Naaman resolves to worship him when he returns home. The two carts of soil from the land of Israel will form a tiny, holy space in which Naaman will be able to offer sacrifice to Israel’s God.

Paul continues to encourage Timothy to stay firm in his teaching of the true Christian doctrine. He reminds him of the core—and probably most controversial—claim of that doctrine, which is the resurrection of Christ. This proclamation has brought suffering to Paul, just as it may to Timothy. Nevertheless, the suffering must be borne so that all those who have been “chosen” by God may hear the word of God and be saved. (“Chosen” is Paul’s frequent term for those who have accepted the gospel [Romans 8:33, Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4]). To fail to teach the truth is to interfere with God’s saving will for others. Paul concludes with another “trustworthy” teaching, namely that those who persevere will be saved and live in glory with Christ. Those who publicly deny Christ by apostatizing, however, will be denied in turn. It is not clear what the distinction is between denying Christ and being unfaithful, but the final point is key. Christ is always faithful because this is his inherent nature.

Because of the fear of spreading leprosy and of ritual uncleanness, those infected were not permitted to mingle with others (Numbers 5:2–3), so the ten lepers run to Jesus before he can enter the village, which is presumably on the border between Galilee and Samaria. In response to their request, he has them fulfill the legal demand that they be certified by the priests as “clean” so that they can be reintegrated into society (Leviticus 14:1–32, Luke 5:12–14). All show some form of faith in Jesus’ words by leaving for the priests before they see evidence of having been healed. Yet only the one who returns to give thanks is told that his faith has saved him. This suggests that healing (physical or spiritual) is only one aspect of salvation; saving faith also means responding to God’s graciousness.