2 Kgs.5:14-17; 2 Tim.
2:8-13; LK 17:11-19
Today's First Reading [2 Kgs. 5:14-17] from the Second Book of Kings
describes the healing of Naaman, a foreigner in the land of Israel. Naaman, the
commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favour
with his master, because by him the Lord had given
victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy." [2 Kgs. 5:1]
victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy." [2 Kgs. 5:1]
On one of their raid in the land of Israel, the Arameans had taken a
young girl captive. [2 Kgs. 5:2] This young girl served Naaman's wife. She told
her mistress that if Naaman was with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would be
cured of his leprosy. [2 Kgs. 5:3] Hearing of this, Naaman repeated this
comment to the king of Aram. Consequently, the king of Aram told Naaman to go
and that he would provide him with a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman left,
taking with him a number of gifts to present to the king of Israel. [2 Kgs.
5:3-5]
When the king of Israel read the letter, he got very upset and thought
that the king of Aram was trying to pick a quarrel with him. In the meantime,
Elisha the man of God heard of it and he sent a message to the king, asking him
to let Naaman come to him so that he may learn that there is a prophet in
Israel. [2 Kgs. 5:8] Naaman went to Elisha. But Elisha sent a messenger to him,
saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be
restored and you shall be clean." [2 Kgs. 5:9-10]. Naaman was
furious at the instruction given by the prophet. But those who accompanied him
persuaded him to obey the prophet, and subsequently he was healed.
The example of Naaman gives us a great message. Naaman expected
Elisha to cure him in the way expected. So the ways of the prophet annoyed him
and he was furious. When praying to God often we too maintain the
same attitude. We expect things to happen in our way.
Sometimes God gives
us exactly what we ask for, when we ask for it. But when His answers don't come
right away, it's often because He has something much better for us. Many
years ago, a wise man offered his two beloved nephews a gift: A dime today, or
a dollar next week. The younger boy took the dime and ran to the store to buy a
handful of candy. The older nephew's mouth watered as he watched his brother
enjoy the sweets, but he waited patiently for the week to pass. He received the
promised dollar, and bought a toy that he enjoyed for a long time afterward.
This story
illustrates how God may hold back something we want, or give us something
different, which in the long term will prove to be much better. He tells us
that "My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than
your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). God's "yes" to our prayer
might look very different from what we expect.
Today's reading from
the Gospel of Luke, [Lk. 17:11-19] gives the account of healing ten
lepers, nine Jewish and the tenth a Samaritan. It is interesting to
note here that while the Jewish people normally did not mix with the
Samaritans. But this group of lepers consisted of both Jews and a Samaritan. As
we heard, out of those ten, the one who was a foreigner, was the only one who
returned and thanked Jesus.
As a general rule,
when a Jewish leper was healed, he had to go to the local priest to confirm
that he was now clean and permitted to mix among the general public. For the
Samaritan, more was demanded. Most likely, he had to go to his own priest near
Mount Gerizim. This demand of Jesus required a greater act of obedience because
of the travelling involved. While the demand was greater upon the Samaritan, he
was the only one to show gratitude for the gift of healing that he received.
There is a story
about the ingratitude of people who receive favours from God.
God sent two angels
to the earth. One was given the duty of collecting the supplications, and the
other was to collect thanks giving. The angels in charge of supplications
filled his box in few minutes and had to travel to heaven many times. But, the
angel in charge of collecting thanks giving could barely collect a box till
evening.
Many of our prayers
are answered. But how many go back to God for showing gratitude to the
blessings we received.
The psalmist
expresses his gratitude towards God for the good things he had received.
Jesus' prayer was
always filled with thanks giving.
Jesus came to the
tomb of Lazarus. Jesus told them to roll the stone aside. So they rolled
the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank
you for hearing me." Then he commanded Lazarus to come out.
This is an attitude that
we should cultivate. Be grateful to God for the blessings that we receive. When
we are beset with problems think of the people who are less fortunate than us.
When we open our eyes to the world and see the world around us we will
realize the innumerable ways that God bad blessed us. Then Like Naaman, Like
the Samaritan we will turn to God with thanks giving.
Satish