GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 9TH OCTOBER 2016
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: 2Kings 5:14-17
PSALM: Psalm 97:1-4
2ND READING: 2Timothy 2:8-13
GOSPEL: Luke 17:11-19
THEME: CALL TO WORSHIP
The ringing of giant bells hanging on the towers of many traditional church buildings is primarily a call to worship. It is a call to people of faith to put aside everything, no matter how important they may be, and draw closer to the Creator. Similarly, there are certain events in our lives that serve as clarion calls to turn to the Lord in total surrender and worship. When something (good) happens, it is important to ask oneself: What is the Lord saying to me and what should be my response?
In making a comparison between Naaman in the First Reading and the Samaritan in the Gospel, one would find some striking similarities. First and foremost, from a purely Jewish perspective, both of them were outsiders – Naaman was a Syrian and the other a Samaritan. They were foreigners. Secondly, we are told that both were lepers. Thirdly, they both got healed miraculously – divine intervention. Fourthly, they both expressed their gratitude to the Lord in an act of total self-giving. Today’s reflection lays particular emphasis on the last similarity.
The healing of Naaman led him to draw the following conclusion: “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel” (2Ki 5:15). Consequently, he made a request, “ Please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any god except the LORD” (2Ki 5:17). There is therefore a clear intent on the part of Naaman to give himself entirely to the worship of the God of Israel on account of the grace of healing that he had received. The response of the Samaritan after the healing is described as follows: “He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving thanks to him” (Lk 17:16). It was an act of prostration – a posture of total self-giving.
When God does something in your life, call it a miracle, deed of power or divine intervention, it is for a purpose. It is a call to total surrender of oneself to the Lord. The gifts, blessings and tokens of love that the Lord showers on us are not meant to lead us into self-indulgence, rather to deepen our faith in him and draw us closer to him. They are meant to unite us firmly to the Lord – “If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us” (2Tim 2:12).
May we not allow the Lord to say of us, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Lk 17:17-18). Think of what the Lord has done in your life and come let us prostrate before him in worship.
Prayer: Eternal Father, I thank you for saving me in and through the person of your Son Jesus Christ. I turn to you in worship and give my all to you. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).