Naaman the Leper

"And in the Prophet Elisha's time there were many suffering from virulent skin-diseases in Israel, but none of these were cured – only Naaman the Syrian." (Luke 4: 27)

The story of Naaman the leper is one of my favorites in the Old Testament. I gleaned a number of lessons from it. Some of the lessons are:

God's sovereignty is shown in His reaching outside Israel to show His mercy and power. I see also the loving providence of God in planting the Israelite slave girl in the household of Naaman. Naaman's servants persuaded him to act as Elisha the Prophet had instructed him to do. That is, to plunge seven times into the River Jordan. In the act of the servants, I perceive elements of sincere and loving evangelization. How this contrasts from what we see today where the servants might have said: "it is not our business to convince him. He is old enough to know what he wants. We do not want to appear intolerant or coercive. He is a free man; he should decide for himself.' Finally, I see the act of plunging into the water as a type and shadow of the Sacrament, especially Baptism. The Sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace that affects what it signifies. It is a small material sign that affects mighty works. The simple act of plunging into the River Jordan brought Naaman the healing that no other means was able to give him.

God favors those who trust in His ways.

 

Simple Actions – Great Results

"Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? All the more reason then, when he says to you, 'Bathe, and you will become clean." (2 Kings 5:13)

A Sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace, affecting what it signifies.

A sacramental can be described as a sacramentette, an external agent delivering the effects they promise.

Faith gives us the promise of God's peace, provision, protection, power, purpose and pardon. Faith also gives us the full effects promised by the Sacraments and sacramental.

Naaman's servants encouraged Naaman to have faith by their words.

God is pure spirit. He has left man some conditions and material agents through which we unleash his power on our behalf. Some of these are:

• Sacraments
  
• Sacramentals
  
• Bible
  
• Prayer
  
• Fasting
  
• Almsgiving
  

The Holy Spirit and Mission

"The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, 'Set out at noon and go along the road that leads from Jerusalem down to Gaza, the desert road." (Acts 8: 26)

The Holy Spirit is the power behind the missionary activity of the Church. He is the main principle of apostolic productivity and fruitfulness.

Spirit and Mission

Spirit and Evangelization

 

St. John of God

"Father, you gave St. John of God love and compassion for others. Grant hat by doing good for others we may be counted among the saints in your Kingdom …." (Opening Prayer in the Mass of St. John of God)

St. John of God is one of my patron saints. He is my patron saint for book/pamphlet distribution ministry. St. John of God after his conversion spent his life doing good for others in book distribution and tending the sick.

Spring of Water

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in heaven a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4: 13-14)

The water that Jesus gives is the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus for this incomparable gift. Grant me the grace to be totally open to the Holy Spirit during this coming Lent.

" ¹ On that day, you will say: I give you thanks, O LORD; though you have been angry with me, your anger has abated, and you have consoled me.

2

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.

3

With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation,

4

and say on that day: Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.

5

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth.

6

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!" (Isaiah 12)