3rd Week of Lent (C) : Monday 24th March 2025

Our primary catechesis taught that the fall of Adam and Eve was due to disobedience. Compared with Jesus, as Paul described in His letter to the Philippians, “Jesus was obedient unto death, even death on the cross.” If we look at Naaman, the commander of the king of Aram, it is a story of obedience. Imagine, Naaman, with high status and loaded with power contracted leprosy, it is difficult for him to bow to a lowly Elisha and obey his words. Yet, he obeyed and did wash at the Jordan river seven times as instructed. He was healed of his shame.

When Jesus returns to Nazara, His own hometown, He puts everyone to re-examine their obedience to the Law and the Prophets in public. They know that their ancestors have refuted the prophets and even annihilated them. Would they repeat? Jesus’ reminder that “no prophet is ever accepted in his own country” was to them a provocative statement. It unmasked their disobedience to the true spirit of the Law and the Prophets.

By relating the story of Prophet Elijah and the widow at Zarephath and Prophet Elisha and Naaman, Jesus reiterated the disobedience of the people to God’s command. They are still not ready and hospitable to obey His teachings as their ancestors were. Hence, the offer of salvation was given to others. The people’s hardness of heart is highlighted to provoke similar sentiments in us, are we hesitant to obey God?

Lord, may the inclinations of our hearts lean towards You and Your command to love.