Monday of the Third Week of Lent

Today's Readings

2 Kings 5:1-15AB

During this third week of Lent, as I reflect on the first reading, I am reminded of how gullible, yet vulnerable we are as human beings, especially when we are confronted and tested with difficult situations. We find ourselves to be the most desperate, and we want to believe in just about anything or anyone, so as to get what we want. Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram, went to Israel in pursuit of healing powers by the King of Israel. He was desperate and wanted to believe that this great and powerful man had the power to cure his leprosy. He thought he could buy his way by presenting amazing gifts to the King, such as silver, gold and festive garments. Naturally, when we are at our most vulnerable, we tend to become desperate, and we think we can “buy” through monetary gifts, in exchange for what we are seeking. Yet this reading once again teaches us that this isn’t the case, that not everything can be bought, and that we cannot let our beliefs be tainted or smeared by false images. And so Elisha, the man of God, hears that the King of Israel has become furious because he thinks he is being made fun of, by Naaman, and asks the King to send Naaman to him instead. The prophet Elisha does not come out to greet Naaman, and he does not try to impress Naaman with his “healing powers” or even seek monetary gifts. Instead he sends him the message to go and wash seven times in the river Jordan and his flesh will be healed of his leprosy. Of course Naaman becomes angry, and begins to question the prophet Elisha, because he had imagined the prophet would come out and astonish him with his healing powers, as he moved his hand over the spot, where the leprosy was. Why should he listen to such a simple man; shouldn’t this man have come out and shown his greatness? Instead the instructions were simple, nothing extraordinary. Naaman went to the river Jordan, washed seven times, and he was cured of his illness. When he returned, he understood that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.

What I take away from this passage is that each and every one of us will go through our journey in life, and it is understood that there will be times of great pain and suffering along with times of happiness. But it is in these times of pain that I trust and look to my faith, and I pray that false images will not fill my heart. This passage also reminds me that loving God is easier when I think of all the blessings I have received.

Yadira Moran-Ulrich '02

Associate Director of Human Resources