Message of 3-9-15

Published: Mon, 03/09/15

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: March 9, 2015
Message of the Day
Philanthropy, as we practice it, is not enough—although the word philanthropy actually means brotherhood. Our stewardship of God’s goods requires that we administer in God’s name—that is, with full awareness that the world is His and that His love is directed toward us no more fully than toward every person.
-  Rachel Henderlite (1905-1991), A Call to Faith

(For the grace to share our life generously this day, we pray.)
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Readings of the Day
2 KGS 5:1-15;    PS 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4;    LK 4:24-30

R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?

When shall I go and behold the face of God?
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture
"He turned about in anger and left. But his servants came up and reasoned with him." –2 Kings 5:12-13

Proud Naaman was surrounded by humble servants. His wife's servant girl, a young Israelite whose country Naaman had raided, swallowed any national pride she may have held and pointed Naaman to the source of healing. At the house of the prophet Elisha, Naaman's humble "servants came up and reasoned with him," leading him to healing in the Jordan's waters. Such humility was not an automatic response for a servant, as Elisha's servant Gehazi tragically proved shortly after Naaman's healing (see 2 Kgs 5:20ff). Naaman's servants had more to do with Naaman's healing than did Naaman.

When Jesus preached at Nazareth, He specifically called attention to the humble servants in Naaman's party. Where were the humble servants in the synagogue at Nazareth? Apparently, there weren't any. "The whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation" (Lk 4:28). No one served this proud congregation by humbly swallowing their pride, reasoning with the leaders of the synagogue rebellion, and leading them to the healing that Jesus wanted to give (see Lk 4:18; Mk 6:5).

Who will serve by taking the low places? (see Lk 14:10) If no one takes the lowly servant positions, then Jesus gets kicked out of families, workplaces, churches, and towns. Get behind in the world! Serve!

PRAYER: Father, close my heart to pride and open my eyes to Your opportunities.

PROMISE: “There is no God in all the earth, except in Israel." –2 Kgs 5:15

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Spiritual Reading
NOTES ON THE LIFE OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER
 
2706. To meditate on what we read helps us to make it our own by confronting it with ourselves. Here, another book is opened: the book of life. We pass from thoughts to reality. To the extent that we are humble and faithful, we discover in meditation the movements that stir the heart and we are able to discern them. It is a question of acting truthfully in order to come into the light: "Lord, what do you want me to do?"
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church, IV, 3, 1)

- part 10 of 24

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, IV
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