Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15, Ps. 42:2-3,42:3-4, Luke 4:24-30
“And they rose and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.” (Luke 4:29)
- Naaman was a commander in the Syrian army. Although he was very successful as a soldier, he was also a leper. What a contradiction! Like Naaman, many successful people in our world have some form of leprosy - something they are ashamed of. Here is a bitter truth – money doesn’t solve every problem. No matter how much money you have, you still need God. Some lessons in today’s readings include:
1. Never Look Down On What is Yours: Humans find it difficult to value what belongs to them. You struggle to acquire something today, and by tomorrow, it will have become worthless in your eyes. We do not value things produced in our country but idolise those from distant places. This phenomenon was the sickness Jesus tried to correct when He cited the example of Naaman and the widow of Zarephath in today’s Gospel passage.
- The story is about a beggar who is sitting on a box. A stranger said to him: “What is inside the box?” He answered: “I don’t know, I have never opened it. I found it in a dumpsite many years ago and used it as a stool. I don’t think there is anything in it.” Here is a bitter truth – if you fail to look inward, you could complain for nothing. When we do not appreciate what belongs to us (if we don’t recognise our prophets), foreigners will benefit from them.
2. Never Look Down On Anyone: Some time ago, I saw a beautiful story on social media titled: “Kingmakers Do Not Live in Palaces.” It was the story of how a man applied for the Nigerian Navy and was asked to come for training in Kaduna. Little did he know that the Chief of Naval Staff at that time was the elder brother of his office cleaner. The cleaner gave him a note to the Chief, and at the end of the training, his name was on top of the list of successful candidates. What would have happened if this man was not on good terms with the cleaner? Does it strike a chord that it was a slave girl who suggested to Naaman’s wife that there is a prophet in Israel capable of curing his leprosy? Here is another bitter truth – no human being is useless. You have yet to progress because you continue looking down on those whom God has sent your way to bless you.
3. Never Look Down On Any Place: Naaman flared up when Elisha told him to bathe seven times in the Jordan. He felt insulted that the prophet did not come out “to stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the leprous spot, and cure him” like magicians do. Naaman was angry because the Jordan River wasn’t as clean as the rivers of Damascus. Here is again another bitter truth – what matters is your obedience, not your location. Some people believe they can never make it in this country; their only desire is to travel abroad. As Jesus told us, “Seek first God’s kingdom,” put God first, and obey His commandments. God can bless you anywhere.
4. Sometimes, “Insult” is Education: When the truth hits us hard, we immediately resist it because it opposes what we are used to; it challenges our pride and sense of security. Like the audience in today’s Gospel passage, we may assume we are being insulted if we don’t reflect on it. Avoid praise singers; they are like that rat that blows air on its victim before feasting on its flesh.
5. Never be Scared of Telling People the Truth: Keeping quiet or painting the truth does not help anyone in the long run. They may stone you or try to kill you. Have no fear. God will protect you. No one could kill Jesus before His time. We do not know how He managed to escape from their midst when they led Him to the hill, but we know that our lives are in God’s hands, and no one can kill us before our time.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant us increased faith. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of the 3rd week of Lent, Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: 2 Kings 5:1-15, Ps. 42:2-3,42:3-4, Luke 4:24-30).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu