Monday of the
Third Week of Lent
II Kings 5:1-15; Luke 4:24-30)
People think of prophets as either soothsayers or
rabble-rousers. That is, they understand
a prophet as one who foretells the future or one who raises consternation with righteous
criticism. It is true that the prophets of
Israel at times performed these services.
But prophets were also teachers of the word of God. They especially excelled at applying the word
to concrete situations. Today’s readings
feature two prophets of Israel.
Elisha is successor of the primordial prophet Elijah. He is considered holy and, for that reason, able
to heal. He inspires the trust – albeit reluctantly
– of the non-Israelite Naaman. Naaman obeys
the man of God and finally praises God outright. Jesus refers to Elisha and Naaman in his
dispute with his townspeople. He argues
that as God chose to cure a non-Israelite through Elisha, He will save
non-Nazarenes through Jesus. Jesus is
driving home the point that no one can make a claim on God. Humans are to love Him and obey Him.
To be sure, it is difficult to love and obey God. Our generation feels the need to convince itself
of God’s existence. Prayer –
communication with God -- is short-circuited by all the technological devices
that jump to our command. However, striving
to know and love the Lord has inestimable value, greater by far than a sense of
control. Peace fills our hearts. We appreciate everyone and, indeed, everything
more. Then there is the indescribable
gift of eternal life.
