A LIFE OF GRATITUDE AND WORSHIP
Today, we celebrate the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. As we reflect on the inspiring readings of Naaman and the cleansing of the Leper, we find ourselves journeying with them in God’s mercy, in physical and spiritual healing, in obedience, in trust when things do not happen as expected and to live with gratitude and worship.
The first Reading 2Kings 5:14-17, tells of Naaman the Syrian army commander of the king of Aram, one of Israel’s principal enemies. He is a man of considerable status and influence in his society, as we are told that Naaman is “a mighty warrior” and “in high favour with his master.” He was a man who had everything but he suffered from leprosy. It was a physically debilitating disease, where one’s extremities rot away and a death sentence at that time. In one of Naaman’s raids, he took captive a little girl from Israel, separated from her family, and was made to serve Naaman’s wife. This little girl having gone through a traumatic experience, and forced to go to another country at an early age; yet she shines out for her faith, and trust. She did not forget and kept believing in the God of Israel. Her faith is marvellous. We see her hope and trust in the God of Israel, when she said to Naaman’s wife whom she served “if only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” (2Kings 5:3). There is no self-pity, bitterness, or resentment on her part, instead she wills the good to a man who caused all that had happened to her. Naaman humbling himself, abided with the young girl. He acquires an introductory letter from the king of Aram and sets out to Israel with a treasure of goods to compensate the king of Israel or the prophet. Naaman presents his letter of introduction which asked the king of Israel to cure him of leprosy. The enraged king of Israel tore his clothes, thinking that the king of Aram was trying to pick a quarrel with him and that Naaman was a spy. Prophet Elisha having heard of Naaman’s visit to the king, invites him to come to him. Elisha does not receive Naaman personally, but sends a messenger to instruct him to bathe seven times in the Jordan River. The general is humiliated for Elisha did not speak to him personally and complained that he was told to do something which could have been done in his native land and not have to come all the way to bathe in the muddy and turbid Jordan River. Naaman finally bathes seven times in the Jordan River. The cure of Naaman comes when he in faith surrenders, obeys and trusts in God’s will. Willing to humble himself commenced with the little girl, continued with the resistance of the king of Israel, the aloof instruction by Elisha, till the great Syrian general washed himself seven times in a foreign river. Like the one leper who returned to thank Jesus for his healing in the Gospel reading (Luke 17:11-19), Naaman comes to Elisha and makes his confession of faith “now I know there is no God in all the earth except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15). He then offers a reward to compensate Elisha, but he would not accept anything. Naaman asks Elisha to indulge him and permit him to take two mule loads of Israelite earth back home, so that he can properly offer sacrifice to the God of Israel, a radical step for a foreigner. Just as Naaman was cleansed, baptism washes away sins and confession brings mercy. We see Naaman being healed physically and spiritually, a profound transformation and reorientation of heart and mind and his desire to now worship and give praise to the true God of Israel. The road to physical and spiritual healing at times has obstacles, requiring much patience and resilience. Like Naaman and the ten lepers, all of us have a weakness, a struggle that can bring us closer to God.
In the Gospel reading (Luke 17:11-19), we read of the 10 lepers who have lost everything, their family, community, and their normal lives. From a distance, Jesus invited them to present themselves to the priests, who were designated by law to certify healings that had occurred. Jesus said nothing else. He heard their prayer, their cry for mercy, and He sent them immediately to the priests. The 10 lepers trusted, they went immediately, and while they were on their way, all were cured. The priests would have therefore been able to verify their healing and readmit them to normal life. All ten would have been happy to be healed - yet only one who in addition to being healed rejoices in meeting Jesus and returns; prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet in faith and gratitude. He was a Samaritan, who were not accepted by the Jews.
Perhaps the nine were so eager to be declared clean by the priests that they rushed on and gratitude slipped their minds, or that giving thanks could wait, or found that the obedience of the law was enough, or maybe like many of us they moved on quickly once their problem was solved. Jesus tells the Samaritan “Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19) – pointing to a deeper spiritual healing beyond physical healing.
Gratitude is a way of recognizing God’s presence, even in difficult times, and serves as a reminder of God’s constant mercies and blessings. In both the first reading and the Gospel, a foreigner is the one who returns to give thanks after being healed. Naaman, a Syrian, trusts in God’s word and is cleansed, just as the Samaritan leper returns to Jesus in gratitude. This reassures that God’s mercy is given freely and God’s salvation is for all people. As in the Responsorial Psalm 97 “the Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.”
How do we live the spirit of gratitude and worship? St Paul is an inspiration to us in his work and life. In the 2nd Reading (2Timothy 2:8-13) St. Paul speaks of his struggles, and encourages to remain faithful, to stay strong, and to know that Jesus is always faithful “If we hold firm then we shall reign with Christ.” Despite the relentless persecutions, imprisonment, suffering and many hardships; the letters of St. Paul inspiringly often begin and end with thanksgiving, and the Lord Jesus is always present - “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thessalonians 5: 18), and to “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2). St. Paul endures so that others may hear the Good News and receive salvation in Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (n2648) illustrates well that “Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter of thanksgiving which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one’s whole life.” It is a fundamental, daily spiritual practice that leads to joy, peace, and deeper connection to God.
We are blessed to have the most profound expression and highest form of thanksgiving we can offer in celebrating the Mass (the Eucharist) (CCC n.1324). The word “Eucharist” derives from the Greek word eucharistein, meaning “thanksgiving.” The Eucharist is the central act of thanksgiving by which the Church expresses gratitude to God for all He has done, particularly for creation, redemption, and sanctification. The Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium n.11).
We know that gratitude counteracts indifference, dissatisfaction, depression amongst other struggles. The Gospel reminds us – do we only turn to God when we are in need, forgetting Him when life improves? Do we treat prayer as a list of requests, but neglect to return in gratitude or do we see gratitude as a way of life? Like the Samaritan, we are invited to a living relationship with God that springs from gratitude and worship. Every Eucharist is our chance to return like the Samaritan as we strive to celebrate every Divine Liturgy with an even greater sense of gratitude and sincerity of heart.
Let us make it a point - to take a moment each day to return to God in gratitude and worship; as in the lyrics, we seek to always Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart .
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"; Let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us"
Our thanksgiving prayer:
Lord, thank you for your mercy and love. Help us to trust in you, even when things are difficult. Teach us to see your blessings, in gratitude for our lives, family, friends and creation. Strengthen our faith so that we can follow you with open and faithful hearts always. Amen.
Article by Olivia Tan, HFC Blog Contributor