Dear friend,<\/p>\n
The readings this weekend provide some deep reflection on God\u2019s revelation of Himself to the world. When we talk about revelation, we reflect on the fact that God has revealed aspects of his nature to the world. The Scriptures record words of God\u2019s revelation. The teachings of the Church, which formed with and after the formation of the Bible, reveal God\u2019s truth as well. St. Paul says in his letter that \u201cthe Word of God is not chained.\u201d This reference to the freedom of God\u2019s Word and the freedom we receive from believing God\u2019s Word, invites us to reflect on what we are freed for. God communicated His Word in order to provide meaning and direction for our lives. The free flowing Word of God calls us to understand the gift of creation and our own lives as created in His Image and Likeness. The experience of true peace then flows from understanding that we are freed to follow God\u2019s Law, that which we were created for. Because the Word of God is not chained it flows through the human mind encouraging us to live and love the way God made us.<\/p>\n
The first reading from the Second Book of Kings and the Gospel from Luke both involve the healing of lepers. Naaman, an outsider to Israel, visits Elisha the prophet seeking healing from his leprosy. Naaman\u2019s healing results in his profession of faith in the God of Israel, a change of who he worshiped as God, and ultimately a conversion of life. The ten lepers in the Gospel reading are from Samaria, a place housing people also considered outsiders to Israel. This point gets to the depth and meaning of the miracles as God\u2019s power and Word exist for all people. After leaving Jesus, all ten lepers were healed, but only the Samaritan returns with gratitude. \u201cTen were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?\u201d In the Jewish First Century culture, a foreigner was not seen as enjoying the same benefits with God as an insider. This healing of the foreigner, along with the healing of the foreigner Naaman, clearly communicates God\u2019s Word is unchained for anyone who will believe. As Jesus tells the Samaritan, \u201cYour faith has saved you,\u201d we also are called to have faith in the power of God\u2019s Word to communicate truth and healing to us. Quite simply God communicates His Word because He wants to be known. A true and authentic relationship with God results in the conversion of mind and heart, which results in Christ-like living, all guided by the unchangeable truth of God. We may not need healing from leprosy, but we all need some kind of physical, spiritual, or emotional healing. As we take in God\u2019s Word, at Mass or in private scripture study, it is faith in the Word to provide the healing needed that allows God to provide us His miraculous presence. May we all open our minds to the Word seeking freedom in His truth.\u00a0 Have a great week.<\/p>\n
God bless,<\/p>\n
Father David<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"