God Is My Help

2 Kings 5:1-15
Luke 4:24-30

In today’s first reading, we see one of the King of Aram’s commanders – Naaman – being cured of leprosy by the Prophet Elisha. Naaman was a very powerful and influential man but he came to realize that those gifts that he had were to be enjoyed, but they weren’t to be relied on for safety or security. He was to rely on God. Through Elisha, Naaman was able to see God as the God of all the nations.In the end, he declares that only in Israel is there a true God. In Jesus, we see God pouring out His love all mankind but the people of Israel do not recognize Him as the Messiah who is to come. And so, Jesus in today’s gospel passage refers to the text from Kings and Naaman the leper and tells His listeners that He, like Elijah and Elisha, was not sent only to the Jews but to all peoples.

The story of Naaman also reminds us of Easter baptism: there is a link between Naaman’s cleansing in the Jordan and the baptism of Christ in the same waters. We have a duty not to keep the Gospel message to ourselves but to bring it to others. Christ brought His message to His people first but they failed to see in His simplicity and ordinariness, the true power and presence of God. They sought something spectacular but did not see it. If we are looking for something spectacular then we too will be disappointed for the message of Christ is profound while still being simple. How do I see God in the ordinary events of my daily life? What prevents me from being more aware of God’s hand at work in my life?How can I be to others a witness of God’s presence in their lives?

Out of anger they almost wanted to kill one of their own kind. Are you Elisha, giving folks a holy thump on the head to remind them who they really are or you condemn those who are your neighbours? Are you a servant, asking people to slow down, to recognize God in simple and muddy reality that he is close to them or are you the one that throw away God’s favour because of your ideas and. prejudices?

May God fill us with the gifts of His Holy Spirit: the gifts of wisdom, understanding, faith, hope, and love. May God give us eyes to see and to recognize the Him in those little areas that we find ourselves in our lives. May we not take his word or his messengers for granted and maythe gifts we receive allow us to see His presence in d little happenings of daily existence. Amen

Fr Joseph Osho