October 9 - Sunday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Published: Oct. 8, 2022, 4 a.m.

(2Kgs.5:14-17;\xa0\xa0 Ps.98:1-4;\xa0\xa0 2Tm.2:8-13;\xa0\xa0 Lk.17:11-19) \xa0 \u201cAll the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.\u201d \xa0 \u201cThe word of God is not chained.\u201d\xa0 It cannot be imprisoned.\xa0 It is free.\xa0 And it cannot be limited by national boundaries; it is for everyone.\xa0 The universal call of salvation is made most clear in our readings today: in our first reading, Naaman the Syrian is healed of his leprosy, and in our gospel a Samaritan is healed of the same.\xa0 Both are foreigners and essentially enemies to Israel, but it is these two we hear of today to make clear that the Word of God and His power are unbounded. And when these foreigners are healed, they return praising God; they make clear their faith in the Holy One, much to the shame of those who are native to His House, who may often lack such recognition of the Lord and His work in their lives.\xa0 This is perhaps the greatest message of today\u2019s readings, that we must be as the Samaritan who, \u201crealizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice, and\u2026 fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him.\u201d\xa0 For this is what the Lord desires of us, thanksgiving, a sacrifice of praise.\xa0 How clearly this is shown in Naaman as well, whose offerings of gifts are repelled by Elisha, the man of God, \u201cdespite Naaman\u2019s urging,\u201d but who will not leave without earth from the land of Israel, declaring, \u201cI will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except the Lord.\u201d\xa0 The Lord desires of us our praise and worship of Him only, and when we come bearing this gift of ourselves, He says to us, \u201cStand up and go; your faith has saved you.\u201d And it is unto the end we must remain faithful, praising God for the graces He gives, if we hope to \u201cobtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory.\u201d\xa0 We should hear in Paul\u2019s teaching in our second reading of the means to salvation and the means to condemnation.\xa0 The Lord \u201cremains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.\u201d\xa0 He is God; He holds salvation and glory.\xa0 If we persevere with Him, dying with Him, giving all our selves always to His service, \u201cwe shall also reign with Him.\u201d\xa0 It cannot be otherwise because the Lord indeed blesses those who come to Him.\xa0 But \u201cif we deny Him, He will deny us,\u201d and this cannot but be, too, for He cannot dwell with untruth. The Lord\u2019s Truth extends to the ends of the earth now; His Word goes forth to all, and in all salvation may be known through Jesus Christ.\xa0 But who will trust in Him and fall at His feet in praise of Him as they find healing for their sin?\xa0 Let it be so with us all. \xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. \xa0 Music: "The Numeric Truth" from\xa0All One, sixth album of\xa0Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt.\xa0 ******* O LORD, let us give you thanks and praise you for your healing mercy. \xa0YHWH, it is by faith alone we are saved, and all souls are called to faith in you; and any soul with faith you will accept into your fold.\xa0 To all the ends of the earth your salvation is revealed \u2013 may men come from every land and every tongue to worship you alone. O LORD, let us not be weak in faith; let us not be put to shame by the great devotion shown to you by those who have been foreigners to your Word.\xa0 Let us join them at the feet of your Son and give thanks for the grace and healing you shower upon us by His presence. There is so much of which we need to be healed.\xa0 How shall we lose our blindness to your glory shining all around us?\xa0 When will we cease taking you for granted, and so hardening our hearts in a vain pride?\xa0 Your wondrous deeds are upon us, LORD; your Word is preached to all mankind.\xa0 O let us respond in faith and humbly worship you!