In the first reading, we hear the story of Naaman, a Syrian general, who comes to Israel seeking a cure from his leprosy. When Naaman finds the prophet Elisha, he offers all manner of riches and gifts as inducement and payment. But Elisha wants none of it. He simply instructs Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan. Pretty simple and ordinary, yes? Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Lent, Year C. The gospel is one of most familiar of all parables: the Prodigal Son, part of a trilogy of parables thematically joined with joy over the recovery of what was lost. All three parables of Luke 15 (the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son) point to the idea of the return of one that was lost. To the simple structure of lost/found/joy, in the Prodigal Son parable, there is further development of the theme of God’s love and the contrast of the older brother’s hostility. Luke uses this motif to teach a newer, more full meaning of repentance. Continue reading
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