GO AND BATH SEVEN TIMES IN JORDAN

Monday, third week of Lent/2024
Reflection from Friar Nicholas Okeke, OP

Theme: Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan

The nature of sin, as we have considered, is man’s disobedience to the will of God who is infinitely good. Thus, the clear path leading to God’s reconciliation of man to himself through salvation history is the path of obedience to God’s will. The world remains afflicted with the leprosy of sin due to human ignorance of God’s will and unwillingness to listen and obey the word of God. In the first reading we are amazed by the knowledge possessed by the small Israelite girl serving in the house of Naaman, the army commander to the king of Aram. Through her faith in the power of the word of God invested in the prophet of Samaria, Elisha, she was able to direct the path of Naaman to the healing of his leprosy. She had faith in the power of God working through the prophet and made her suggestion without any fear or trepidation. She perfectly played the role Israel was chosen by God to play, to make known the power and glory of Yahweh to other nations. The girl was more knowledgeable in her faith than the king of Israel who tore his garments on reading the letter from the king of Aram. We can imagine why it went ill with Israel with such kings who lacked faith and knowledge of the power of God. The king of Israel was unaware that there was a prophet of God in Israel. Elisha reminded him: “When Elisha heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent word to the king, ‘Why did you tear your garments? Let him come to me, and he will find there is a prophet in Israel.’” Are we aware of the presence of the Eternal Word of God with us always in the Church?

This lack of faith in the word of God is what our Lord remonstrated with the Jews in his hometown when he went to Nazareth as given in the gospel. Naaman the Syrian was cured of his leprosy because he believed the word of the prophet and carried out the instructions given to him. He initially focused on the prophet Elisha, going to him as a magician. But the Prophet discerned his mind and sent the healing word, which contained the divine instruction, to him; “Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will become clean once more.” It is neither the man nor the water (of Jordan) but the word of God that makes us clean. The word of God is sent among us to heal and reconcile us to God. Our Lord taunted the Jews who were given the divine revelation through the Law and prophets but refused to believe the word of God and be healed. He pointed out their track record of unbelieve to them, which has prevented them from receiving the healing and blessings of God. The widow of Zarephath, a gentile, believed the word of God spoken by Elijah and was saved from famine in the land. Naaman the leper, a gentile, believed the word of God spoken by Elisha and was cured of his leprosy. Let us not imitate the Jews in their unbelieve, but these gentile believers in the word of God. The Eternal Word took flesh and dwelt among us. He proclaimed the gospel of repentance and healing to all. He remains with us in the Church and the Sacraments, for his words and real presence remain in the Church; we are his members by our baptismal profession of faith.

Let us pray: Grant us, Lord, to believe in your word that gives life, that we may attain the fullness of your salvation.    

 

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