Reflection On Luke 4: 24-30

Today’s readings speak to the subject of God’s broad mindedness in the person of Naaman. He was the Syrian army commander who became the recipient of God’s merciful healing. Jesus was totally aware of this man’s is having been cured of leprosy and, In turn, made comment on the meaning of this healing. Those legally loyal Jewish people became very angry with Jesus as they listened to the virtues of this foreigner being extolled over their own. We, too, can fall into this same sin of narrow-mindedness. Do we think, for example, that Catholics have a monopoly on the whole truth and nothing but the truth, while Protestants, Orthodox, Jewish and other people are all in unyielding error? If we truly feel that way, may God help us. Catholics don’t own God; either do the Protestants or the Jews or any other group. Not even the fundamentalists can claim exclusive rights to God. God is for all people. The Jews thought that the Messiah would be for the Jews only. Since Jesus did not subscribe that narrow, nationalistic, racial point of view, the Jews simply refused to accept his claim to Messiahship. We should be glad that God accepts all people equally, for then we can be sure that we’re included too.
We need divine help. Jesus constantly offers us the true light. The people of Nazareth were being offered the light, but they rose in fury because the light carried with it a demand. These enemies of Jesus put up a front as impenetrable as iron and Jesus had no alternative but to turn away. Following Jesus, being with Him or listening to Him makes a demand of immense consequence, attracting something deep within us. We may be asked to let go once for all the little animosity that is buried within us; to break the shells of our enemy – self. Let us dare to pray for the divine light that the compassionate God will cradle us in our carrying of the daily cross. Let Jesus never ‘go away’ through our midst.
Questions to ponder:
How does the faith of Naaman invoke Almighty’s assistance in your life?
‘God is for all; not religion made’- what is your understanding?


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