READINGS:
1 R : 2 Kgs 5 : 1 - 15a.
Ps 41 : 2, 3, Ps 42 : 3, 4.
Gos : Lk 4 : 24 - 30.
TODAY'S READINGS MAKE US REFLECT THE FOLLOWING POINTS.
- GOD SEES FAITH AND NOT RELIGION.
IN SO FAR AS RELIGION MAKSE PERSONS TO CULTIVATE FAITH,ITS FINE.
THERE CAN BE NO CLAIM ON GOD BASED ON RELIGION.
THIS WAS THE WARNING FOR THE JEWS THEN , AS MUCH AS FOR THE CHRISTIANS NOW.
SEE BOTH EXAMPLES BY JESUS.
NAMAN AND THE WIDOW FROM ZAREPTHA ARE REFERRED AS EXAMPLES WHERE GOD AND PROPHETS
" LOOK BEYOND " THE BOUNDARY OF RELIGION.
JESUS IN HIS LIFE ALSO SHOWED THIS.
IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES ALSO THIS TRUTH IS ILLUSTRATED AGAIN AND AGAIN.
THEREFORE BEWARE !!! - GOD DOES NOT WORK AS MAN EXPECTS.
HE IS NOT A RESPECTER OF POSITIONS NOR PERSONS.
HE TREATS EVERYBODY EQUALLY.
NAMAN THOUGHT THAT ELISHA WOULD COME OUT AND TOUCH AND HEAL....
ADDED TO THIS NAMAN WAS A ' BIG MAN ' IN SYRIA.
YET HE WAS ASKED TO BATHE IN JORDAN 7 TIMES.
IF NOT FOR HIS SERVANTS PLEADINGS, HE WOULD HAVE ALMOST LOST THE MIRACULOUS CURE BY WHICH HIS SKIN BECAME LIKE THE SKIN OF AN INFANT.
THIS POINT NEEDS TO BE APPRECIATED.
TODAY CHRISTIANS THINK , MORE IN LINE WITH WORLDLY IDEAS AND CULTURE.
EVERYONE EXPECTS TO BE MADE MUCH OF AND PRAISED OF ( VOYR DOVORUNK JAI MUNCHEM ).
THEY EXPECT PROMINENCE AND EVEN THINK GOD SHOULD BE OBSEQUIOUS TOWARDS THEM.
ON THE CONTRARY LOOK AT THE WIDOW OF ZAREPTHA.
THE MOMENT PROPHET ELIZAH REQUESTS A BREAD, DESPITE HER SORRY PREDICAMENT IN LIFE
SHE DOES AS THE PROPHET SAYS.
AND IMAGINE; THE OIL AND THE FLOUR NEVER RAN DRY.
THIS LENT SPUR US ON TO ACT ACCORDING TO THIS WORD OF GOD.
