Tags
Proper 9
July 8, 2007
The readings today follow in the footsteps of last week’s readings. The narrative continues in II Kings and tells now how Elisha continued the ministry of Elijah. We are given the account of how Elisha healed Naaman. Naaman was not from Israel, but he sought out the prophet because he came highly recommended. Naaman had contracted leprosy. This was not a good thing, so Naaman approached the prophet and believe it or not, the prophet didn’t even have the common decency to meet him at the door. Elisha’s servant greets Naaman and tells him to go bathe in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman was outraged. How dare he do this to him. There were cleaner rivers in Damascus. Finally Naaman’s servants convince him to try what the prophet commanded and lo and behold, Naaman was healed.
Naaman was expecting to do something really hard for the Lord and yet all it required was his obedience.
After the week we’ve had, Psalm 30 comes as great encouragement.
4 Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Enough said!
Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia continues…he reminds us:
14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.
Again, enough said!
Luke records how Jesus sent out his disciples reminding them that “The Kingdom of God is near!” This is good for all of us to remember.
