Blog 4 March 2 Kings 2024 2 Kings 5:1-15

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Please read this passage before reading this homily.

Naaman was a leper.  His leprosy, however, did not keep him from public service or from accompanying his master to religious services.  His leprosy, likewise, was not what we call leprosy today: it was some kind of infection of the skin.

The story begins with a reversal of hierarchy.  It moves from the slave girl to the wife, then to the commander and on to the king, from one king to another who would then invoke God.  The wife depends on the slave girl, the general on his wife, the king on the general, the king of Arum on the king of Israel, and the king of Israel on the prophet Elisha.

Instead of the important Naaman having to do something equally important, the prophet gives him something ordinary to do.  Take a bath in the river, which is too simple for the important Naaman.  Naaman’s servants, however, advise Naaman to do the ordinary remedy the prophet has assigned him.

The rich and powerful depend on the support of the less rich and the less powerful.  Those in high places need the help of those in small places.  Naaman needs the help of his servants.

Elijah the prophet does not seem impressed.  He has no interest in the gifts offered him, nor on the gift of land asked of him by Naaman.  He is not impressed by the coming of a general; instead he sends his servant out to talk with him.  He takes leprosy away from the pagan person and gives it to his own servant, one who lies and disobeys.  He is more interested in the conversion of the general than the land of Israel which is the land made holy by the Lord God’s presence.

The backbone of our society, civilization and political life is based on the reversal of roles.  The big and important people have to rely of the seemingly less important.  The poor taxpayers contribute to the wealth of the richer people.  It takes a caravan of twenty vehicles to escort the President safely on a highway.

How does the story of Naaman guide us in the decisions we make today?  Faith and loyalty to God prevails over political or social advantage.