Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Unfortunately, today’s first reading includes a woefully inadequate section of this otherwise marvelous story of Naaman the Syrian. Israel and Syria were arch enemies. Naaman was the military commander of Syria but his wife was an Israelite woman who was captured in a rather bloody raid. Yet, Naaman dared to come to the enemy territory, to the prophet Elisha to seek healing for his leprosy. Elisha merely commanded Naaman to dip himself in the Jordan seven times. Elisha’s casual approach to this otherwise high profile visit is rather disconcerting for Naaman. Although miffed at the suggestion, Naaman did as he was commanded and he was healed. We do not get many details about how Naaman was healed. The focus in on his ability to do what was commanded him to do. This must have been hard for a military commander. But the real focus of this episode is on Naaman who returns to Elisha in gratitude. Not only that, he acknowledges the God of Elisha as the true God. (2 Kgs 5:15).
This Sunday’s gospel is a continuation of last weekend’s readings and homily about faith. Last week, the disciples had come to Jesus asking him to increase their faith. Jesus had said to them, “If you had faith the size of the mustard seed…’ (Lk 17:2) He also said that when disciples have done all that they have been commanded to do, they should say, “We have done all we were obliged to do.” (Lk 17:10). As if Jesus was giving his disciples a live demonstration of his teaching, in today’s reading he very easily yielded to the request of the lepers and healed them. Notice that Luke does not give us details about the healing. In fact, the focus is not on the healing. Rather, the focus is on the lepers who did what Jesus commanded them to do. The greater focus is on the lone Samaritan leper who returns to give thanks. This interpreted as an act of faith. Jesus says to him, “Your faith has saved you.” (Lk 17:19). Jesus offers him more than just healing. He offers him salvation.
One way of looking at faith is to see it as an unconditional acceptance of God’s offer. If we read the scriptures, there are many teachings that require some strong resolve to put into practice. For example, it is not easy to believe that doing good to those who do harm to us, or praying for our enemies or blessing those who curse us will bear fruit. In today’s readings, both Naaman and the lepers surrender to God’s command to them no matter how disconcerting it seemed to them.
One way to be a people of faith is to take God’s words at face value. If God asks us to pray for our enemies, let us do that; If God asks us to take care of the hungry, thirsty, unclothed, and those in prison because when we do so we take care of God, then let us do so; If God tells us to focus more on accumulating treasures is heaven than on earth, then, let us do so. In the final analysis, our salvation depends on our unconditional acceptance of God’s offer. In the final analysis, we must leave the consequences of our faith upon God.
- Fr. Satish Joseph