1ST READING
Elisha shows to the foreigner, Naaman, the power of the God of Israel. Naaman is convinced and he takes soil from Israel back to his own land in order to build a shrine at which to worship the God of the Jews. Do we know how powerful God is? Have we experienced His miracles in our lives? It is time to pray for and expect miracles to happen. God wants to manifest His presence in our midst if only we will call on Him in faith.
2 Kings 5:14-17
14 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. 15 Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives whom I serve, I will not take it”; and despite Naaman’s urging, he still refused. 17 Naaman said: “If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord.”
P S A L M
Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
R: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)
2ND READING
Paul may have been arrested and put in chains, but his enemies cannot take away his spirit. He will continue to proclaim the Gospel until his last breath. In fact, Paul still continues to proclaim it through the writings he left behind. Let us learn from his experiences as we face our day-to-day challenge.
2 Timothy 2:8-13
8 Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; 12 if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
GOSPEL
Gratitude is an important aspect of respect. One of the first things we were taught as children was to say, “Thank you,” to those who have given us something or done something for us. Why should it be any different with God? To be healed of leprosy in Jesus’ time was a remarkable event. The former leper will be reintegrated into society. Lepers were avoided and exiled, but after being healed by Jesus, these men are now free to return to a normal way of life.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Luke 17:11-19
11 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” 14 And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; 16 and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? 18 Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” 19 Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”
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