Greetings on this the Monday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15ab; Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Luke 4:24-30
Summary
We live in an age filled with fury. It is easily recognizable in our vocabulary as ‘triggered’, ‘short-fused’, ‘self-rationalization’, and ‘confirmation bias’.
In our gospel portion today, Jesus recognizes that it was foreigners (Naaman and the widow of Zarephath) that received the divine healing so many like them needed. People who think they own God get very upset at the good the Lord does for others. It is a key sign of lack of true worship.
It is an ironic spiritual twist (nationalistic, too) to the Wisdom of Ben Sira. As you have used us to show them your holiness, so now use them to show us your glory (Sir 36:4).
Divine Blessings For ‘Them’
- There was a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon (LK 4:25b-26).
- There were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet;yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian (LK 4: 27).
When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away (LK 4:28-30).
Reflection
I hope in the LORD, I trust in his word; with him there is kindness and plenteous redemption (PS 130:5, 7).
Plenteous redemption for everyone, not just me. In contradiction to that, fury is intense, disordered, and often destructive rage (merriam-webster).
How can good be received with rage?
It is the state of the person’s soul that brings rage. The good you would have preferred be replace with evil. Do them harm, Lord, is your cry. Syrians and Sidon are enemies, may they only have an enemy’s reward. Now, how does that make sense for a Christian? It does not.
Personal Reflection
It is in Jesus’ reaction to the fury that will help us transcend these negative impulses. But he passed through the midst of them and went away (LK 4:30). If you feel rage welling up within you. Pass through them and leave them behind.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032425.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry