Preview of Readings for Sunday October 14, 2007

Reading 1, 2 Kings 5:14-17  Naaman, general of the army of the king of Damascus, Israel’s more powerful neighbor to the north, had leprosy. A Jewish slave girl told him the prophet Elisha in Israel could cure him. He went but balked when Elisha told him to bathe seven times in the Jordan. The rivers of Syria were clearer. He eventually went, however, and was cured. Most people of that era believed in many gods, each having power in a specific territory. Thus, Naaman asks for earth from Israel so he can sacrifice in the land of Elisha’s God. We believe that God is everywhere, but even many Catholics believe God is more powerful in certain churches or pilgrimage destinations (Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, etc.). What do you think?

Reading II, 2 Timothy 2:8-13  Paul was awaiting trial in Rome. He was not chained in a prison but in a home under house arrest guarded by a Roman soldier. He was thus able to meet with whomever he wished, maintain communication by letters, and lead prayer. The home became, in effect, the center of Paul’s international ministry. Paul turned the disadvantage of his being held prisoner into advantage for the spreading of God’s word. In what ways have you or people you know done something similar?

Luke 17:11-19  Nine of the ten were Jewish. On showing that they had been cured, they needed a written permission from a Jewish priest for permission to return to their homes and families. The Samaritan did not. When he realized he had been healed, he had no reason to continue with them and so returned to Jesus. I like to think that the other nine eventually sought Jesus out to thank him as well. As with Naaman, the Samaritan’s attention quickly turned from the gift to the giver (I prefer to think that, after the initial euphoria on returning to their families, homes and friendships, the other nine eventually sought Jesus out to thank him).  We turn to God in times of need. It is also easy for us to focus more on what we may lack than on the blessings we have received. How good are we at turning to God with thanksgiving in the midst of life’s imperfections?