“So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” (2 Kings 5:11).
I have been reading the story of the curing of Naaman from leprosy by Elisha in the Old Testament (2 Kings 5:1-15).
And as I was reading this story, I was touched by the message of the story here because it seems that Naaman is just like me. He wants to have the miracle but he wants it in his own way…
“…Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, ‘Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.’ But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy…” So he turned and went off in a rage. Naaman’s servants went to him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!’ So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” (2 Kings 5:9-11).
When I think about that situation in the story, I can see Naaman walking across to Elisha full of hope and wonder and arriving at that door and listening to the instructions of the man of God and thinking to himself, “What a waste of time!” I am imagining how Naaman must have felt angry – furious even – knowing that Elisha was giving him instructions that made no real sense. After all, washing in a lake or river was hardly a difficult thing to do. It might have even looked negligent as Naaman considered how little effort Elisha seemed to be placing on getting him help.
After all, it must have looked as though Elisha really did not care. “Go wash.” He said. As though Naaman had not already tried a simple little thing like that.
And that – that perception of simplicity, which creates a barrier to making any serious change – that is why I so often fail to become a better child of God. After all, I reason to myself, that is just too simple. It is not difficult enough. I do not need to do the easy things. Waking up and saying good morning to God is far too easy for me to bother with, so I will not do it. Saying my morning prayers is far too easy to worry about, so I might skip those today. Concentrating in Holy Mass, is not a priority, so I will not really bother.
And instead, I set myself tasks that are difficult – which is nothing more than an expression of pride in my own power and not the power of God – and a sure sign of my imminent failure…
I promise to fast and abstain. I promise to make huge sacrifices. But just as Elisha did not give Naaman a difficult task, neither does my God give one to me. Instead, He asks me to do the easy things well. For it is all those easy things require the humility of a child, and He wants me to remember that I am a child to Him and He does not need me to work His marvels… He only desires my submission to His Holy Will… And just as Elisha asked for it of Naaman, I pray for the Grace to accept it for myself…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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