Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Listen and obey and live
Monday, March 24, 2014
Monday of Third Week of Lent
2 Kings 5:14
Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Through Naaman “the Lord had brought victory to Aram.” But Naaman was sick and afraid because he had leprosy. He was rich and loved by his king and family, but his skin was rotting and he was going to die.
Meanwhile, Elisha is spending his life with God. He has become what they call a “man of God.” When he prays God seems nearer than before – the air where he kneels and cries out to God becomes “thin.” Sometimes children come back from death. Elisha invites Naaman to his home, and Naaman comes.
The plot thickens. It becomes evident that everyone has something to learn. God’s gift to Elisha is humility. He isn’t allowed even to see Naaman, but only to send him a message. Go and bath seven times in the river.
And Naaman must accept the same gift. Humility. He is offended by what seems to be Elisha’s indifference. Still, he takes his servant’s suggestion and walks into the river.
And out again. And in again. And out again. Five times, nothing. Six times, nothing. And surely in the beginning he is restless, indignant, impatient.
But as Naaman walks silently in and out of the water, by his very obedience comes transformation. I think as he steps into the river the seventh time he is no longer suspicious or afraid. God has made his presence known, and Naaman knows how much he’s loved. When he walks out of the water, not just Naaman’s skin but soul is soft and newly born.
Elisha the renowned man of God had one small crust of bread to share. Naaman the renowned soldier took and ate.  Richard Rohr says we each need a daily humiliation. This is our daily bread, this is our living water. When we listen and obey time after time, red-faced, coals heaped upon our heads, that is when, like Naaman, we discover that God wants us more than we could know, and then the Way is clear and open. We too want God. And the stuff of earth no longer quite competes for the allegiance we owe only to the Giver of all good things. *
There in my face is Life. Like Job I had heard of God, but now I’ve seen him. When I could not imagine letting go of my food, my sexual compulsions, my alcohol, my pride, my comfort, my security, my religion, God does not let go of me. When I finally step into his water and then again and again and stepping in again, I don’t know when but I do know THAT I will breathe the truth that my God lives. Trust God beyond all things.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”
You are trustworthy, Lord. In all my life you are the only one, and I learn slowly but surely to trust you. As I take my next breath, I trust you. As my heart beats its next beat, I trust you. But my breath will stop and my heart will stop, and you will never leave me.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1253
* Rich Mullins: “If I Stand” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72L-bDOozNY
