Twenty-Eight Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C, By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp

First Reading: II Kings 5:14-17/Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1.2-3ab.3cd-4 (R. cf. 2) Second Reading: II Timothy 2:8-13/Gospel Acclamation: I Thess. 5:18/Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

Theme: Ready For A Swim?

Born in the cradle of Ghana’s west coast and sprung from the loins of a grandfather who had a fleet of fishing boats, one would have thought that swimming would have come to me as a natural flair! Yet, it took me some time to acquire swimming skills because the sea had also ‘swallowed’ into its belly, many persons including my very close friends. Generally, people of the coast and those who live in riverine areas believe that water bodies have healing powers, particularly, in their ability to treat skin infections. Rightly so, and perhaps, this may be the major reason why we still go to swim! We all have sicknesses which require the touch of the sea of God’s healing. We suffer both spiritual and physical ailments. Usually, we fail to realise that spiritual sicknesses are severer than physical ones. Today, Jesus assures us that he can both heal and save us, and we must learn like Naaman to trust in the God of Israel. The readings of today show us how this is possible.

In the first reading, Naaman, the leper from Syria, is healed in River Jordan in Israel under the direction of the man of God, Prophet Elisha. Initially, Naaman resists going to bathe in the Jordan thinking there were better rivers in his native Syria than in Israel (cf. II Kgs. 5:9-12). However, when his pride and boasting give way to humility by taking a step of faith, he is miraculously healed. He is completely restored such that he is described in the following words: “… and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was cleansed [from leprosy]” (II Kgs. 5:14). Through his servant Elisha, God healed Naaman. In the same vein, through other people God can bring healing to those who believe. He heals us through his own instruments – through men and women, and even through other created realities (River Jordan for example). Hence, we must believe in the power of God to heal. If we trust in him, we shall see his healing power!

It is for this reason that the Psalmist recognises the universal nature of God’s power and ability to deliver his children. Therefore, with conviction, he bursts into joyful song chanting: “The Lord has shown his deliverance to the nations…All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Ps. 98:2, 3cd). Consequently, God’s healing mercy is not limited to Israel but for all; it is catholic (universal) and therefore, all peoples from every part of the world, men and women alike, the young and the old, rich and poor, black and white, etc., can have access to God through faith. So, let us acknowledge this fact and praise God thus: “O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation (Ps. 98:1).

One of the things we must learn from Naaman is that, as soon as he sees he is healed, he returns to Elisha, to show appreciation. It responds in spontaneity. He recognises the important role gratitude plays in both divine and human relationships. It is said that a heart of appreciation opens the door for more blessings. There is always something to be thankful for, and a little ‘Thank you’ can warm the hearts of those who do good to us. So, we must inculcate in us the sense, art and act of gratitude

Truly, we need a heart of thanksgiving and appreciation for what God and others do for us. We are encouraged: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thess. 5:18). The attitude of gratitude raises one’s altitude, and being thankful elevates our blessings! It lifts us from healing to salvation. In today’s Gospel, all ten lepers are healed but only one is saved: “Then Jesus said, ‘were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Lk. 17:17-19). Other versions of the Bible say, ‘your faith has saved you.’ While the nine lepers are just interested in fulfilling legal requirements, the one who returns to give thanks looks for a personal relationship with Jesus. This is more important to him than the physical leprosy. He knows, perhaps, that he suffers a severer spiritual leprosy – a lack of personal relationship with God. Therefore, he goes back to give thanks to God right where the grace of God finds him in the presence and person of Jesus Christ! We too suffer spiritual leprosy when we sin. It alienates us from God, others and even our very selves. Yet, Jesus has power to heal our sinfulness and restore us. We can find salvation and witness tremendous miracles when we obediently commune with God in daily, conscious and intimate prayer; a prayer of faith.

Like Naaman, the ten lepers too suffer from a deep inner personal humiliation. However, unlike the former, the latter are ostracised. Hence, their lot is social stigmatization. Notice what the text says: “…Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’” (Lk. 17:11-13). These lepers are located at the boundary between two territories, a place where we can call ‘no-man’s land.’ Religious and social laws ensured that these lepers are banished from mainstream society because they are regarded as unclean, and to add salt to injury, the lepers themselves are to announce to everybody that they are unclean! They are not supposed to mingle with others, and no one is to touch them (cf. Lev. 13:45-46). Hence, these ten lepers stand at a distance and raise their voices to call Jesus for help. No wonder when Jesus heals them, he restores them back to mainstream society through certification from the Levitical priests: “Go and show yourselves to the priests” (cf. Lk. 17:14; see also Lev.14:1-32).

In the second reading we have another example of a person who learns to surrender his spiritual leprosy to Jesus and is healed. Apostle Paul sees himself as a ‘leper’ because of his sin and is saved by the grace of God, and restored to relationship with God and humanity. Paul is so appreciative like the Samaritan leper who comes back to render thanks to Jesus for healing him. Paul appreciates what God does for him and feels called to evangelise the Gentiles, bearing even hardships for the sake of Christ. In consequence, he describes thus: “…the Gospel for which I am suffering and wearing chains like a criminal… Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which in Christ Jesus goes with eternal glory” (II Tim. 2:9). Worthy of note is Paul’s statement: “If we endure, we shall also reign with him” (II Tim. 2:12).

Beloved in Christ, the leper who returns to thank Jesus for healing him is a foreigner, a Samaritan – one whom the Jews regarded as worse than a pagan due to the Samaritan syncretic lifestyle and intermarriage with Gentiles (cf. II Kings 17:24ff). Even the pious Jew is not mentioned as coming back to thank Jesus. Sometimes, pride can make us look down on others. A holier-than-thou attitude, a self-righteous disposition gives us a false feeling of superiority about ourselves. Yet, many times, those whom we regard as inferior, nonentities, good-for-nothing, nobodies, are more open to the mysteries and uncharted routes of the divine hand of God. When we think we are superior to others, it is actually a form of inferiority complex – we suffer deep spiritual leprosy!

Dearest one of God, God is able and we must never give up trusting him. He heals, restores and saves. He can fix us again, no matter how life has scattered, tattered and shattered us. We are encouraged to surrender to his power through true repentance, conversion and reconciliation. When we do so, God will give us peace of mind, joy and progress. If we let him into our leprous lives, we will find life, contentment and blessing. Let us seek God’s healing for ourselves and nations – one and all! May God heal our brokenness, hurts, families, relationships and put a new song on our lips. Happy Sunday and may richly God bless us! The question is are we: #Ready-For-A-Swim?#