Faith, Perseverance, and Personal Relationship

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to live in troubling situations with faith and perseverance that deepens our relationship with God and others.

Persevere in Faith

In the Reading from the Second Book of Kings, Elisha Cures Naaman’s Leprosy

* [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.

* [5:17] Two mule-loads of earth: worship of the Lord is associated with the soil of the Holy Land, where he is present. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)

Psalm 98 extolls God for Israel’s victory.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter to Timothy reminds us that the Christian life includes endurance, witness, and even suffering.

* [2:8–13] The section begins with a sloganlike summary of Paul’s gospel about Christ (2 Tm 2:8) and concludes with what may be part of an early Christian hymn (2 Tm 2:11b–12a; most exegetes include the rest of 2 Tm 2:12 and all of 2 Tm 2:13 as part of the quotation). The poetic lines suggest that through baptism Christians die spiritually with Christ and hope to live with him and reign with him forever, but the Christian life includes endurance, witness, and even suffering, as the final judgment will show and as Paul’s own case makes clear; while he is imprisoned for preaching the gospel (2 Tm 2:9), his sufferings are helpful to the elect for obtaining the salvation and glory available in Christ (2 Tm 2:10), who will be true to those who are faithful and will disown those who deny him (2 Tm 2:12–13). (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims Jesus Cleansing of Ten Lepers.

* [17:11–19] This incident recounting the thankfulness of the cleansed Samaritan leper is narrated only in Luke’s gospel and provides an instance of Jesus holding up a non-Jew (Lk 17:18) as an example to his Jewish contemporaries (cf. Lk 10:33 where a similar purpose is achieved in the story of the good Samaritan). Moreover, it is the faith in Jesus manifested by the foreigner that has brought him salvation (Lk 17:19; cf. the similar relationship between faith and salvation in Lk 7:50; 8:48, 50). (Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Rashmi Fernando, SJ, comments that all who cry out in their need can experience God’s healing touch, but salvation requires the deeper response of gratitude, faith, and the turning of one’s life toward God. Healing can restore us, but salvation transforms us.

Today, in a world plagued by crises of care, where many seek healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual— these readings challenge us to look beyond the gift to the Giver. Healing may restore us to health, but salvation offers eternal life. Healing may bring relief for a season, but salvation brings communion with God forever. Gratitude, faith, and the willingness to follow Christ are what bridge the gap between receiving a gift and embracing the fullness of salvation. Thus, we are reminded: God’s mercy is wide, his healing is abundant, but salvation is personal. It requires the grateful heart that returns, the faithful heart that endures, and the surrendered heart that proclaims: “Jesus is Lord.” (Fernando, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Cleansing of the ten lepers,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"Why did [Jesus] not say, 'I will, be cleansed,' as he did in the case of another leper (Luke 5:13), instead of commanding them to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy (Leviticus 14:2). It commanded them to show themselves to the priests and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing. He commanded them to go as being already healed so that they might bear witness to the priests, the rulers of the Jews and always envious of his glory. They testified that wonderfully and beyond their hope, they had been delivered from their misfortune by Christ's willing that they should be healed. He did not heal them first but sent them to the priests, because the priests knew the marks of leprosy and of its healing." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 113-16) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:11-19 comments that our own gratitude can lead us to worship the One who has given us abundant life, both now and forever.

We can worship the Lord in many ways, but today, let’s imitate the Samaritan in today’s Gospel:

At Mass today, sing out your praise! Join the choir “in a loud voice” (Luke 17:15) and worship the Lord with all your heart. Kneel in adoration before the King of kings. Rejoice because the Lord says to you, as he did to the Samaritan, “Your faith has saved you” (17:19).

“‘Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds’ (Psalm 98:1).” (Meditation on Luke 17:11-19, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler identifies how in Second Kings, Naaman travels to be healed in Israel by a great prophet after reluctantly bathing In the Jordan at the direction of Elisha. This seemed a strange thing to do and he expected a difficult task he would have done! God is recognized as the Only God in this passage but still seen as a national God. Later, God is recognized as of all nations. Second Timothy, likely written in the name of Paul, suffering in chains, to recall Paul’s faithfulness. There are two different Greek verbs: “mess up” and “deny as not part of my life”. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus heals ten lepers and sends them to the priest, following Jewish law, that was considered to be important. The Samaritan, hated by the Jews, came to give thanks. We receive wonders from the Lord that we too often do not recognize. Friar Jude cites an experiment at shopping malls opening doors and only a few people offered thanks. We are a society of entitlement. We may fall into an attitude of focus on what we don’t have.

Fr. Mike Schmitz comments on  today's reading from 1 Maccabees, we hear about the victory of Judas Maccabeus, which is also the story of Hanukkah. In Sirach, Fr. Mike points out that chasing fame and glory in this world are not worth our time, because they will all fade away after we are gone. The readings are 1 Maccabees 4, Sirach 10-12, and Proverbs 22:9-12.

Brian McLaren emphasizes knowing and following Jesus as a prophet: 

Growing up as a Jew, Jesus enters the ancestral lineage of the patriarchs and matriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. But Jesus also enters through a spiritual lineage of prophets and prophetesses beginning with Moses, the first biblical prophet…. 

If we take Jesus seriously as a prophet, we take his incarnation seriously, because Jesus comes into a particular historical situation. As part of a society, he had to grapple with politics and economics. The crucifixion makes sense because prophets’ lives don’t usually end well. Very few have a comfortable retirement. His prophetic identity also requires us to take the story of the resurrection seriously as a prophetic demonstration and affirmation that the work of the prophet must continue even after he is executed and buried.  

If we let Jesus as prophet be eclipsed by other understandings, Jesus is reduced, and so are we. Jesus wants his followers to become like him…. He says, “My movement is a prophetic movement. If you join my movement, you’re in that line of work, including its hazards.” (McLaren, n.d.)

We are invited by the Spirit to take a few minutes to ponder the gratitude we have for the personal relationships on our journey that call us to live our our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet and leader.

References

Fernando, R. (2025, October 12). Daily Reflection October 12, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-12-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?11 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Prophetic Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/prophetic-love/ 

Meditation on Luke 17:11-19. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/12/1405661/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Fell at Jesus' Feet Giving Thanks. Daily Scripture Net. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/5?14 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/2?8 

Stream of Conscious Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider the opportunities for growth we may have rejected through pride or misunderstanding.

Healing Environment

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