The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to be open to encounter healing and fullness of life in relationships that we may not expect.
The reading from the Second Book of Kings describes the Healing of Naaman.
* [5:1] Leper: the terms traditionally translated “leper” and “leprosy” covered a wide variety of skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema, and seborrhea, but probably not Hansen’s disease (modern “leprosy”); there is no clear evidence of its existence in biblical times.
* [5:12] Wash in them and be cleansed: typical of the ambiguity in ritual healing or cleanliness. The muddy waters of the Jordan are no match hygienically for the mountain spring waters of Damascus; ritually, it is the other way around. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 42 expresses longing for God and His Help in Distress.
* [Psalms 42–43] Ps 42–43 form a single lament of three sections, each section ending in an identical refrain (Ps 42:6, 12; 43:5). The psalmist is far from Jerusalem, and longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy. Despite sadness, the psalmist hopes once again to join the worshiping crowds. (Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus experiences rejection at Nazareth.
* [4:25–26] The references to Elijah and Elisha serve several purposes in this episode: they emphasize Luke’s portrait of Jesus as a prophet like Elijah and Elisha; they help to explain why the initial admiration of the people turns to rejection; and they provide the scriptural justification for the future Christian mission to the Gentiles.
* [4:26] A widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon: like Naaman the Syrian in Lk 4:27, a non-Israelite becomes the object of the prophet’s ministry. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Nancy Shirley comments that many are more willing to listen to strangers than family, friends, or neighbors. So many times, we believe that statements from others who are less known to us are superior to anything said by those well-known to us.
I have often wondered how those so close to Jesus kept doubting what now seems so oblivious. The blind, see; the lame, walk; the dead, rise! And yet doubts existed in many of those who stood and watched these miracles happen. We are blessed that there were those who DID believe and recorded these wonders and miracles! We are blessed to believe without actual seeing! We are blessed that we have a Savior who gave His life to save us! We are blessed to be rescued! (Shirley, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Could anyone refuse to love our God?,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Fulfill the commandments out of love. Could anyone refuse to love our God, so abounding in mercy, so just in all his ways? Could anyone deny love to him who first loved us despite all our injustice and all our pride? Could anyone refuse to love the God who so loved us as to send his only Son not only to live among human beings but also to be put to death for their sake and at their own hands?" (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:24-30 comments that as we continue our Lenten journey, let’s consider how Jesus can read our thoughts as well. As the psalmist writes, “Lord, you have probed me, you know me. . . . You understand my thoughts from afar” (139:1, 2). Jesus knows us even better than we know ourselves. He can open our eyes to ways of thinking that are holding us back or preventing us from seeing what God is doing in our lives. He can uncover our blind spots so that we are able to see people and situations in the light of his love. He can also reveal his truths to us—even those that might be hard to hear—in order to deepen our understanding of who he is and what it means to live in his kingdom.
Today in prayer, be honest with the Lord and tell him what you are thinking, even if it’s something you would rather not admit, even to yourself. Then be open to letting him show you a different way of seeing things. The people of Nazareth missed out on the wondrous truth that Jesus was the Messiah. This Lent, don’t miss out on all that Jesus wants to do in you!
“Lord Jesus, open my mind and heart to your truths.” (Meditation on Luke 4:24-30, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses how the perception of a provocation from Naaman the Syrian, becomes a lesson in humility in the healing of his leprosy. Rejection is experienced by Jesus in Nazareth as they fail to believe the nature of their native son. Friar Jude suggests Jesus' self confidence allows Him to move through the crowd and escape violence.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares his morning practice of engaging with the natural world. One of the foundational reasons for our sense of isolation and unhappiness is that we have lost our contact with nature. In the natural world, there is no theology to agree or disagree with. We don’t have to identify as Presbyterian or Lutheran, male or female, conservative or progressive. There is nothing to argue about. It is in contact with all the “givens”—that which has been available to every creature God has created since the Big Bang—that something is indeed given.
This is not some New Age idea. In Scripture we read, “What can be known about God is perfectly plain, since God has made it plain. Ever since God created the world, God’s everlasting power and divinity, however invisible, have been there for the mind to see in the things that God has made” (Romans 1:19–20). Every day, we are given a natural way to reconnect with God and it doesn’t depend upon intelligence, education, or a religion. It depends on really being present and connecting with the soul.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just standing in my garden. If I get my email first or start worrying and planning my day, the moment’s over. It’s done because I’m not really present. But we can preserve and protect those sacred moments before we read the news or check our email, before we look at social media or review the day’s agenda. If we can find a way to be present to the “givens,” especially the natural “givens,” I believe we can be happy. (Rohr, 2024)
We are nudged by the Spirit to be open to the Good News and healing that is close to us in our relationships with family, friends, teachers, and nature.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?24
Meditation on Luke 4:24-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/03/04/906321/
Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/42?2
Rohr, R. (2024, March 4). Making a Morning Connection — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/making-a-morning-connection/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus' Power to Heal and Cleanse. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=mar4
Shirley, N. (2024, March 3). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030424.html
2 Kings, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/5?1
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