Feast of Saint Luigi Versiglia (25 Feb 2008)

In the first reading of today’s Mass, we have that comical little episode from the second book of Kings in which a Syrian army commander named Naaman who suffers from leprosy goes down into Israel to be healed by the prophet Elisha. When he presents himself at Elisha’s house, the prophet sends a message out to him saying, “Go and wash in the River Jordan seven times.”Now, Naaman was a proud man, very much aware of his dignity and power as an army commander. He is accustomed to much bowing and scraping and praise and being treated like a ruler. And he is also very much miffed at this kind of treatment. The prophet Elisha doesn’t even come to the door to greet him, but merely sends word that he is to go wash in the Jordan. He is angry and resentful. Don’t we have rivers in Syria? Why should I go wash in the lousy Israelite river Jordan? And he is not inclined to go. One of his servants, though, who has a cooler head than the pompous Naaman, says to him, “Look, all he is telling you to do is to go wash in the river. You have nothing to lose but a little time—and your leprosy. You’ve come all this way; now, try it. Do what the prophet says.” So the huffy, grumbling Naaman goes, washes, and is totally healed.

Now, much chastened and humbled, the formerly arrogant Naaman returns to Elisha’s house, stands before him (Elisha evidently came outside this time to greet the healed man) and says, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.”

A delightful story of the holy prophet Elisha, who knows with quiet assurance what he’s talking about. Of the proud, arrogant Naaman; of the sensible servant who reasons with his master, and then of the humbled—and therefore healed—army commander. Thank you for seeking God’s truth. God bless you. Father Victor Brown., O.P.