Monday of the
Third Week of Lent
(II Kings 5:1-15ab; Luke 4:24-30)
The man told the superior of a religious community that
he would give him $100 to have a private mass said for his family on Christmas
Day. It was a time when $100 would be
like $500 today. The priest wondered if he was being bribed to give a special
privilege. He rejected the offer. The man should take his family to the
community mass on the holyday with the rest of the people. A similar offer is implied in today’s first
reading.
Naaman takes a fortune with him when he visits Elisha. Evidently he thinks that he can buy a favor
from the prophet. He does not realize
what kind of God Elisha serves. He does
not know that God wants justice not gifts.
Naaman cannot fathom that God’s prophets as well are not to be impressed
by wealth. However, he comes to know by his
cure that the God of Israel is greater than all others gods. He learns that God only desires submission to
his gracious will.
We too must take care not to place exaggerated importance
on money. We certainly need it to live
in modern society. Also, we can use it
to serve others. But in the end, we too will
realize that money fails to bring the happiness it promises. Always more beneficial is a heart determined
to love God above all and others as His children.
