Monday of the Third Week of Lent February 28, 2005 Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Luke 4:24-30 Reflection: Naaman thought that it must be the King of Israel (representing power) who would heal him. The king, in turn, knew that he was not a “god” with power over life and death. Elisha, the “man of God,” knew that God would do the healing if Naaman cooperated. When Naaman and his retinue arrived at Elisha’s house, however, Naaman didn’t even get a personal audience, but a message which seemed ridiculous! Just picture the indignation of Naaman, then the reasoning of his servants, and the final healing of Naaman when he let go of his pride and did as instructed. Sometimes we, too, expect a show of power or an extraordinary action of God in our lives, rather than paying attention to God’s presence in the “everyday.” In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that God acts where there is faith, and uses the example of Naaman, a foreigner who was healed, while those within Israel were not, due to their lack of faith in the Prophets who appeared too “ordinary.” Suggested Action: Look for God today in the ordinary people you encounter or events as they unfold. Let God heal any misconceptions which may have blocked the recognition of God in the familiar. Sr. Babette Opferman, IHM Upper Marlboro, Maryland