The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider the opportunities for growth we may have rejected through pride or misunderstanding.
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.)
The Gospel of Luke presents the Rejection of Jesus 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.)
Mirielle Leonard asks a few questions. How many of us have doubted God’s plans for us even up until the last second? Tried to avoid the way he was nudging us or complained and prayed for anything different to happen. Have we thanked and worshiped God only after we got what we wanted?
We should take heart, though, because we are no less worthy of God’s love and attention, as Naaman was. We may occasionally stray from the path of his direction, but God will seek out the one to bring them home. My prayer today is that we may have the fortitude to praise the Lord through our trials. To spend consistent time in prayer listening to God so that we might discern our path. Finally, that we may serve all those in need, and be happy for those who receive God’s grace. (Leonard, n.d.)
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 2 Kings 5:1-15 comments that many times the Lord doesn’t do what we think he should do. As he did with Naaman, he asks us to go beyond what’s familiar or comfortable. Those are times when our faith can grow. We might think we know better. But as we humbly listen to the Lord—even when he’s speaking to us in ways we don’t expect—we have the chance to encounter him more deeply.
Maybe something like this has happened to you: you went to Confession, and the priest gave you a penance that didn’t make sense to you. But as you followed his direction, God blessed you in an unexpected way. Or maybe you were confused or struggling, and words of wisdom came from someone you would never have consulted—maybe even your own teenager. But as you took them to heart, God brought you peace or clarity.
Today, ask the Lord to help you see these opportunities when they present themselves. Say yes to humility. You will never regret it.
“Lord, help me to be humble enough to see how you might be working unexpectedly in my life!” (Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the difficulty of Naaman the Syrian with the healing offered by Elisha, in the Jordan river, without recognizing the warrior’s status. At that time, the Israelites were mostly henotheists, worshipping Yahweh, but recognizing other gods. Friar Jude suggests that Jesus passing through the crowd in Nazareth may not have been supernatural.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, encourages regular contemplative practice. In contemplation, we move beneath thoughts and sensations to the level of pure being and naked awareness. Inspired by Father Thomas Keating (1923–2018), the founder of Contemplative Outreach, Fr. Richard developed this exercise.
Imagine you are sitting on a riverbank. Boats and ships—thoughts, feelings, and sensations—are sailing past. While the stream flows by your inner eye, name each of these vessels. For example, one of the boats could be called “my anxiety about tomorrow.” Or along comes the ship “objections to my husband” or the boat “I don’t do that well.” Every judgment that you let pass is one of those boats; take time to name each one and then allow them move down the river.
This can be a difficult exercise because you’re used to jumping aboard the boats—your thoughts—immediately. As soon as you own a boat and identify with it, it picks up energy. This is a practice in un-possessing, detaching, letting go. With every idea, with every image that comes into your head, say, “No, I’m not that; I don’t need that; that’s not me.”
Sometimes, a boat turns around and heads back upstream to demand your attention again. It’s hard not to get hooked by habitual thoughts. Sometimes you’ll be tempted to torpedo your boats. But don’t attack them. Don’t hate them or condemn them. Contemplation is also an exercise in nonviolence. The point is to recognize your thoughts, which are not you, and to say, “That’s not something I need.” But do it very amiably. As you learn to handle your own soul tenderly and lovingly, you’ll be able to carry this same loving wisdom out into the world. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the issues and concerns that preoccupy our thoughts and implore the Spirit to assist our reconsideration that precedes healing.
References
Leonard, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032425.html
Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?24
Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/24/1232390/
Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/42?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Simple Practice. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-simple-practice/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus' Power to Heal and Cleanse. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar24
2 Kings, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/5?1
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