Lord, help me to bring your love to others, without counting the cost
28th Week in Ordinary Time :Sunday 13th October 2019
2 Kgs. 5:14-17; Ps. 98(97):1,2-3ab,3cd-4;
2 Tim. 2:8-13; Lk. 17:11-19 (Ps Wk IV)
“God has made known his salvation, has shown his justice to the nations”. These words from the psalm highlights the core message found in the scripture passages this day.
Naaman, the great Aramean commander of the army of Syria was a leper. Through his wife’s servant girl who is an Israelite, he hears of a prophet in Israel who could cure him of his illness. Through Elisha, the prophet of Israel, Naaman is cured of his leprosy. As a result, Naaman acknowledges that “there is no God in all the earth except in Israel”. From then on, he worships the God of Israel.
Paul the Jew, although now in prison, shares boldly how he has been chosen by the God of Israel to carry forth God’s news to the whole world. He did this so that people “may have salvation, that is, in Christ Jesus and the eternal glory that comes with it”. Jesus who had come for the lost sheep of Israel, hears the cries of a group of lepers. He heals them. However, only one of them, a Samaritan, turns back praising God, falls at the feet of Jesus and thank him. It is a foreigner who shows gratitude to Jesus.
God loves the whole world and He sent Jesus, His Son to save humanity. He is a God of salvation. Elisha did not accept payment for healing Naaman. Paul was willing to suffer in chains for proclaiming the Gospel. Jesus healed those who cried out to him. We too are called to bring God’s love to others without counting the cost.
Lord, You are our salvation.
