Monday of the third week in Lent

Monday March 16, 2009 of the 3rd Week of Lent
Readings: 2Kings 1:15b Psalm 42-43 Luke 4: 24-30

There are a couple of themes to ponder in the first reading.
The arch enemy of Israel was the kingdom of Arum Their glorious general, Naamen, was stricken with leprosy and was wasting away when a captive Israelite servant girl, suggested to his wife, he see Elisha, the Holy man of Israel in Samaria, before Samaria became defiled by their serving elsewhere than in the Temple of Jerusalem and they intermarried with their captives and gentiles from other captive nations.
His wife encouraged Naamen to seek the Holy man’s help. So Naamen petitioned his King to write the King of Israel to intercede for him and provide a tribute for him of gold and silver.
When Naamen brought him the letter and the tribute, the King of Israel tore his garments exclaiming, “ Am I a god?”, and he refused to help. The King thought it was a provoking gesture rather a sign of friendship.
Fortunately, Elisha, heard of the general’s plight. Elisha refused the tribute offered and offered an improbable action for the cure. “Wash seven times in the Jordon!”
Naamaen being a strong general and an Arum patriot refused the request stating, “What is wrong with the Euphrates or other rivers in our own country?” So, he started to prepare to go home.
Naamen’s men, however, implored him, “ master, if the Holy man has asked you to do some impossible task, you would at least have tried.
Encouraged by his men, he dove into the Jordon and emerged seven times; his leprosy was gone and his skin was likened to a newborn.
Naaamen acknowledged Elisha’s gift and tried to offer the tribute of the king of Arum, but, Naamen’s cure and belief in the God of Israel was payment enough!
God loves us all, even our enemies. If we pray for them or refer them to Him, He will grant their wish. No one can take the place of God. We must rely on Him alone! No prophet, no King, no Priest of our own choosing. He will provide the intermediaries needed whom we may not know.

The psalm recognizes God’s hand in everything we do or propose. When we go to the altar of God, we adore Him and offer our gifts. Whether they are tangible or spiritual, they will be equally received.

At His own home town of Nazareth, the people marveled at His authoritative speech but they regarded Him as just some local kid, looking for praise.
When He admonished them for their lack of Faith, the catalyst of healing, He couldn’t perform any miraculous act as a product of their Faith.
Consequently, when He told of the cure of Naamen and the favor of Elijah to the pagan widow of Sidon, as an example of the faith they lacked, they abruptly decided to shorten His life before His time.

When we see our children become spiritual in their thoughts and prayer, recognize it is not our work but the Holy Spirit and He will reward them and us by the humility we show in thanksgiving for His ever watchful eye to our blessings!