Naaman the Leper 2

"Elisha sent him the message: “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean.” But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand there to call on the name of the LORD his God, and would move his hand over the place, and thus cure the leprous spot." (2 Kings 5: 10 - 11)

“Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal and you will be clean.”  It is not surprising that Naaman found this instruction simplistic and ridiculous.  Who has ever heard of someone healed of leprosy through such simplistic command?  To make matters worse, Elisha did not even honor the general by delivering this message himself.  He sent his servant to give it.  Our deacon called the story one of the most beautiful in the bible.  I agree.  The story reminds me of God’s self revelation in these words: 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 8-9)

As I reflect on the story of Naaman and the scripture from Isaiah 55: 10-11, my mind is taken the seven sacraments of the Church:  Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick.  They are described as outward signs that convey inward grace.  The more realistic description might be: “simplistic and ridiculous signs that claim to accomplish mighty miracles.”  Indeed, the sacraments accomplish mighty miracles. If they do not, then the Church could be accused of falsehood.  This has been the claim on the Church for 2000 years.  Generation after generation bears witness that the sacraments accomplish what they signify.    Faith is needed to accept the teaching.   If obedience is added to faith, then Naaman the leper would become Naaman with the skin of a baby.