Gratitude means 'discover the Giver of all gifts'

In life, there are certain encounters (meeting with people) that do not leave us the same. Think about the coincidental meeting with the person who became your future spouse? What seemed very accidental has resulted into lifelong commitment that you both cherish. Some encounters can turn out positive, but others might become decisive moments, for example a routine medical check up with your physician that unveils a health urgency to tackle that might result in a change of habits required; this seemingly routine checkup results in something more.

The Scriptures this weekend speak of encounters that are transformative. Naaman and the Samaritan leper who meet Elisha and Jesus (men of God) and are changed forever. In both instances there is a ‘great discovery of God the Giver of gifts’ that results in a moment of gratitude and thanksgiving. This is also a turning point in the lives of those who make this great discovery. No turning back!

Leprosy is a kind of scabies disease. People who suffer from this disease have a disfigured skin. Often the skin peels off and the wounds are continuously bleeding. The Leper’s body odor/smell was repulsive. Worst of all, those who suffered from leprosy were rejected by society. They did not mix with others. They needed to wear bells around their necks to inform those around them of their presence. In the religious context, they were sinners to be isolated. In Naaman’s case, even though he was a man of power and influence, that does not stop him from contracting the disease.

A slave Israelite girl in his household encourages him to go to Israel and meet Elisha the man of God who would cure his disease. Naaman hesitantly accepts to meet Elisha and later to go to wash in the river Jordan. The first reading then narrates:

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times
at the word of Elisha, the man of God.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy’. (2 Kings 5:14-15)

This encounter/meeting that totally changes everything in his life, but more, he says:

"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel”.

Naaman makes the great discovery of the Giver of all gifts (God). This is a moment of gratitude and a point of no turning back. Something has totally changed not only in his disfigured body but also in his spirit and heart. The Israelites who are enemies, he will now treat them differently. This encounter with both Elisha and the slave girl has transformed his life bringing him to discover God the giver of all gifts and moreso that God can use those around us (others) to make us discover his presence and his power ( so do not take ‘the other’ for granted).

Our encounter with God will always change us for the better. Allow the grace of God in the sacraments and in his word to plunge into your life and take root and you will not be the same - you will discover God the giver of all gifts.

In the Gospel, the Samaritan like the other nine knew that he had received a gift and this gift had not left him the same. But there is more. Unlike the other nine, he is not just happy with this, but he goes beyond. He acknowledges the power of God and the instrument of the cure Jesus. The meeting with Jesus is the turning point. He discovers God the giver of all gifts and gives praise and glorifies God. The Samaritan does not take the encounter with Jesus for granted.
 

• What is the message / challenge of the readings for us this weekend?
• What are our encounters with others like?
• What do they prompt in us?
• How might these meetings with others be moments of discovering who we are and whose we are?
• Are my encounters with others moments of actions and words that restore and heal?
• Even more challenging, do I take others for granted? How might my actions and words contribute to the disfiguring of others?

Lastly, Saint Paul summons all followers of Christ to be ‘unashamed’ of Christ. Let the encounter with Christ show its effect in our lives. This is challenging most especially during the hardships and suffering we face as communicators of the gospel.

If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we persevere
we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

The encounter with God (Christ) is never in vain, so stay the course!

Fr. Anthony Mpagi,
Pastor of Our Lady of Hope