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
I hope in the LORD, I trust in his word; with him there is kindness and plenteous redemption (See Psalm 130:5, 7).
Our hope in the Lord can only come from a humble heart and an inclusive heart – leaving none outside of the saving and healing graces of God.
Naaman
But his servants came up and reasoned with him: “My father, if the prophet told you to do something extraordinary, would you not do it? All the more since he told you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (2 Kng 5:13).
Widow in Zarephath
She said, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a few sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Afterwards you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.” She left and did as Elijah had said. She had enough to eat for a long time—he and she and her household. The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD spoken through Elijah (1 Kng 17:12-16).
The Rejection at Nazareth
When the people in the [gathering] 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
In our gospel portion today, we have Jesus referencing the ancient stories of Naaman and the widow in Zarephath. Two thoughts here. Clearly, Jesus himself requires us to be at least generally aware of the stories of old and how the Lord answered the humble (or humbled) heart. And, how easy it is to fall into the expectation trap and get stuck there – even to the point of wanting to commit murder.
Personal Reflection
Three responses to the loving presence of the divine.
Naaman, a proud man, had to be ‘talked down’ from his expectations and accept the humble act of washing in the turbid waters of the Jordan. First he humbly took advice from a servant girl, his King and finally Elisha.
The humble widow did not complain or resist but accepted the request of Elijah and made the cakes in the hopes of the promised better days.
The leadership of Nazareth. Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum (Lk 4:23b).
Jesus had every intention of helping everyone and anyone who came to him for help. But he knew the deeper issue was jealousy. Their expectations were self-focused and exclusionary.
Lord, this day, may I not see Advantage, Acquisition and Alliance as a false hope and destructive instinct. Rather, humbly ask for me and others your healing grace.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030926.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry