How do we celebrate God at work in us?
When in the Second Book of Kings, Naaman the Aramean follows the prophet Elisha’s instructions and plunges into the Jordan seven times, he is cured of his leprosy: his flesh became again like the flesh of a little child. Imagine Naaman’s joy! He wants to thank Elisha with a lavish gift, but Elisha refuses. Yet Naaman still wants to celebrate God at work in him; Naaman wants to honor and acknowledge the God of Israel, and so he asks for two mule-loads of earth on which he can properly worship the one God in all the earth. Naaman’s gratitude manifests in his turning to God, believing in the God of Israel; in his worship, he will set his heart at God’s disposal, recognizing God as the source of all that is necessary in his life. This is a key component of all worship: to come together to give witness to God’s wondrous deeds, as Psalm 98 intones. Naaman is not unique: the Lord has revealed to all the nations his saving power. Salvation is for all, and we are called to celebrate that gift.
The ten lepers who meet Jesus as he travels through Samaria and Galilee in Luke's Gospel similarly experience the Lord’s saving power; when Jesus heals them, they can be restored to community through ritual, a form of worship described in the Book of Leviticus. But one man, a Samaritan, realizing he had been healed, returns, glorifying God in a loud voice. His faith is evidenced by his gratitude; when he falls at the feet of Jesus and thanks him, the Samaritan offers a beautiful response to the grace and salvation that is his, giving witness to all. He is thus able to celebrate God at work in his life directly and in person.
Even in his suffering, St. Paul bears with everything for the sake of those who are chosen. In his Second Letter to Timothy, Paul reminds the young leader of the Church at Ephesus that their witness is essential to their community, that they too may obtain the salvation that is Christ Jesus. Paul exhorts Timothy to remain faithful to the Word: remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, and give witness to that Word. Even in suffering, Paul is able to celebrate God at work in him, persevering for the sake of the Gospel, for the word of God is not chained. How do we celebrate God at work in us? Do we show our gratitude through worship and ritual? Do we glorify the Lord in a loud voice? Do we persevere even through suffering? Do we remember Christ Jesus, raised from the dead, and give witness to that fact? God is at work in us at every moment – we have simply to open our eyes to see it, and then celebrate it!
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
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