For every day during Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Naaman, the foreign military leader, had a problem. He had leprosy. But a little Jewish girl who served Naaman’s wife told him to go to the land of Israel. Naaman heeded the girl’s suggestion, and by a roundabout way, met the prophet Elisha, who told Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River. At first Naaman was incensed at the proposed remedy to his problem. He wanted some incantation or some special ritual. But Naaman’s attendants told him, “If the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary, would you not have done it?” So, Naaman relents and goes into the Jordan River seven times. Upon coming out for the last time, Naaman discovers that the leprosy had left him.
Jesus reminds his listeners that Naaman was a foreigner, showing that even outsiders can receive the mercy of God. Perhaps we need to have the heart of the little girl who pointed Naaman in the right direction. We can do more to proclaim the universal love of God — and hope to draw others to the healing waters of baptism that we have found for ourselves.
In a special way, we pray for those persons who are in their final preparation for baptism at the Easter liturgies.