Homily, October 9, 2022
From The Pastor
Encounter, grow, witness is a dynamic used to grow in faith. The initiative of evangelization is to come to the realization and acceptance of the life of God, through Jesus, in a new and vibrant way. In reaches into, but beyond the routine practice of religion to realize the richness of God expressed and given to us in the Lord Jesus.
A critical reality in the maturing of faith is the inner desire to know the Lord and follow his way. After years of practicing the rhythms of religion, it is easy to follow the flow of the ritual and not realize or attend to a deeper inner movement of the Lord speaking to our hearts. This is the dynamic of what we call the encounter; otherwise named as a personal movement of the heart in the awareness of Jesus. Such an encounter is often described as being touched by love, healing, an awakening, or a deep self-realization.
The first reading and the gospel today offer two different kinds of encounters that deeply move the body, mind, and heart of those involved. We enter the story of Naaman, an Aramean army commander, halfway through the experience. Initially, Naaman is resistant and disappointed with the directive of Elisha the prophet. Encouraged by others in his group, he finally plunges into the waters of the Jordan and his flesh is cleansed of leprosy. Filled with amazement and gratitude, Naaman returns to the house of Elisha to thank him and make a gift offering. Elisha refuses the gift because it is the power of God that effected the healing. He will not accept a gift for himself. Naaman then asks for two bags of dirt that he may worship the God of Israel in his home country. He has come to faith in the realization and acceptance that God the Lord, is Lord alone.
His deep encounter of healing, despite early resistance, has changed his life. More than the freedom from leprosy, this man is touched from the inside out as he perceives a power well beyond what any human being could do. He has accepted the Lord our God. His faith is expressed in the desire to worship the Lord with praise and gratitude.
The gospel is similar with a different twist. Faith is initially shown in the plea of the ten lepers. “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us.” All the right words, rightfully expressed, but without the same result. All ten were healed, but only one returned to give thanks for the power of God realized in Jesus. In this case, Temple religion becomes a hindrance to a personal realization of the power of the living God. The nine were Jewish and continued to the Temple to gain a certificate of purity. This would allow them to return to their families and rejoin the Temple community in worship. Not a bad thing of course, but is this a case when the baby is left behind in the bath water? It is.
The nine were more intent on a religious rubric through which they could justify themselves to God and others through a certificate of purity. Common mistake even today. Many can rightfully say they validly participated in Mass, but have they allowed themselves to realize and deepen their faith in the love of Jesus received in the Eucharist? Did their presence at Mass afford them a personal encounter of Jesus that stirred their hearts? Each person must answer on their own.
The Samaritan, who was a Gentile, had a different kind of encounter. In the realization of his healing, the Samaritan is moved by the power of Jesus who made him whole. He understands he had no power in his healing, but that it was the word and the work of God in Jesus who set him free. His heart, his whole being is moved to gratitude. His emotion of humility and unworthiness draws him back to Jesus. He falls on his knees glorifying God as he gives thanks to Jesus. Like Naaman, he is changed from the inside out. He realizes the power of Jesus and sees it for what it is; an act of God personally for him and his freedom and restoration.
Jesus tells him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” More than satisfying a religious rubric, the man is filled with the desire to stay with and follow Jesus. Telling him to “Stand up and go”, Jesus calls him to the full stature of the faith he holds. Through that faith, the man desires to grow in relationship and closeness to Jesus. Through the encounter, the man becomes an awakened follower.
These encounters describe the evidence of evangelization; people opened, healed, or awakened in a new realization of the personal love of the Lord Jesus. Do you desire this? It is an inside job beyond what can easily become the ‘come and go’ practice of religion. What is your desire for Jesus? How deep or alive is your trust in the Lord’s desire to touch you personally? Like Naaman, we all have times of resistance and reasons to complain that allow us to step back. Don’t you want more? Don’t you want to be touched by Jesus. I do.
Open yourself from the inside. Let Jesus in. Be willing to see Jesus in the ordinary rhythms of your daily life. When you come to Church, sincerely worship the Lord from your heart with the desire to receive what God wants to give you. Trust, ask, be open. Be willing to change and the Lord can fill you up.
Father John Esper
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