Today’s lectionary readings made me wonder if am I open to doing things God’s way. The narratives of Naaman and Jesus’s encounter with his hometown illustrate the crucial need for submission to God’s plan.
Today’s Lectionary Reading: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032425.cfm.
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 5:1-15
The story of 2 Kings 5:1-15 recounts how Naaman, a powerful Syrian commander afflicted with leprosy, was directed by the prophet Elisha to wash in the Jordan River. Despite his initial skepticism and pride, Naaman obeyed, and his leprosy was miraculously healed.
Naaman was humiliated by Elisha’s direction to wash in the Jordan River. He listened to his servant’s reason, and this is the result.
But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean (2 Kings 5:13-14).
This experience led Naaman to acknowledge the true God of Israel, and the result was a significant spiritual transformation.
How many times has God asked me to do something I resisted, only for it to become a life-changing experience?
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4
Whenever I read Psalm 43:3, I remember a godly and kind older woman with whom I had the privilege of praying. She would frequently clap her hands and plead with God to send forth His light and truth to lead us in whatever we were facing.
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. (Psalm 43:3)
This verse highlights God’s gracious light, His guiding direction, and His perfect truth, making it an excellent scripture to incorporate into daily life.
Verse Before the Gospel – Psalm 130:5, 7
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word I hope . . .
For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. (Psalm 130:5, 7)
Gospel – Luke 4:24-30
Jesus, while in Nazareth, read a passage from Isaiah (61:1-2) and then applied it to himself, telling those listening, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing’ (Luke 4:21).
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19)
It’s safe to say that Jesus’ audience wouldn’t have opposed the concepts of good news for the poor, release for the captives, sight for the blind, and freedom for the oppressed.
While the goal was agreeable, it was Jesus’ method that caused contention. He sought to bring God’s kingdom through humble service and a commitment to the marginalized that resulted in his rejection by those in authority.
Jesus has presented us with the same ministry, as described in Isaiah. The question is, will we align ourselves with his methods for achieving that goal, or will we deviate and use means that he would oppose?
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Laban’s search for his idols, and the resulting conflict and deception.
Real Voices 