HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT YEAR B (1)

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT YEAR B

HOMILY THEME:OBEDIENCE OPENS THE DOOR TO MANY BLESSINGS

BY: Fr Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(2 Kgs. 5:1-15)
Monday of the Third Week of Lent (Day 20 of Lent)

In the day’s first reading, we have Naaman who had everything, riches, power, and fame, but he was a leper. He was given hope by Elisha, who he had heard can cure his illness. He was, however, frustrated and angered by the way he was supposed to be cured. Elisha told him to wash himself in the river Jordan. Naaman believed that other rivers in his place like in Damascus, Abanar, and the Pharpar are better. Naaman’s servants prevailed upon him to obey the prophet. He went and he was cured.

Naaman was initially guilty of what most of us are usually guilty of. We tend to doubt what we are asked to do believing that we know better. Naaman expected that Elisha will invoke the Lord and undergo a certain kind of healing which was customary in those days. Worse, he was asked to wash himself in a river unfamiliar to him. Maybe in desperation combined with the warnings from his servants, he followed. He knew what prophets can do. In spite of his stature, he humbled himself and obeyed. He was cured.

We remember many other Gospel characters like Peter, Zacchaeus and the centurion who obeyed Jesus with alacrity. Their obedience brought about by a developed faith led them to leadership (Peter), forgiveness and salvation (Zacchaeus), and healing (Centurion’s servant). Naaman had shown that we can at times assert what we know but obedience should prevail in the end. The reason is obvious. God is God. God knows everything.

Mary and Jesus, and all God’s men and women possess that quality. Mary, in obedience, accepted to be the mother of the Son of God in spite of its possible dire consequences during her time. Jesus, in obedience, accepted His death for the salvation of men. mary assumed into heaven and was crowned as Queen of haven and earth. Jesus attained salvation for us all as a fruit of His obedience. A man and a woman were once guilty of disobedience. Adam and Eve’s disobedience of the command of God deprived us of paradise and led us to toil the earth. We lost eternal life and since then, had to work and seek to regain eternal life. That disobedience had been throroughly addressed by the obedience of Jesus and Mary.

Jesus, THE prophet in His time, encountered a lot of resistance. As a result, He could not make miracles in His native place. The defiance of His town mates, a sign of lack of faith and disobedience, was the reason He could not serve them. Disobedience has its consequences too. This Season of Lent, this is what we have to exercise. Obedience is an expression of of trust and faith. Obedience opens the door to many blessings.