In our readings today, we hear of healing on a physical level, that of leprosy, but more importantly on a spiritual level that came as a greater gift to those who had only sought to have their body healed. They came in search of healing only of the physical ailment, without considering that they needed their whole selves to be healed, and our Lord in His mercy granted them the healing of both their bodies and their souls.
In our first reading from the Second book of Kings, we hear of Naaman, who had been instructed by Elisha to wash himself seven times in the Jordan, and who was then healed of his leprosy. The cleansing that took place “left his flesh like that of a little child”, and perhaps had that same effect on his soul, because his eyes were opened to the only true God, and he accepted who He is with the willingness and openness of a child. He made the realization that the God of Israel was the only one deserving of worship, and so while he could leave no gift with the prophet Elisha, he instead left with several mule loads of the earth from Israel, so that he could use it to build a place of worship to God. He knew who to truly give thanks to for his healing.
In our Gospel reading, we hear of another healing that took place. There were actually ten men who were healed of their leprosy, and yet one in particular stood out among them. He was a Samaritan, not even what then would have been considered a true follower of God by the Israelites he was surrounded by. He stood out though, as the only one who recognized the gift he had been granted and displayed the gratitude toward God that was appropriate. He came in search of Him who healed him and fell at His feet. The infirmity of leprosy was gone, and his understanding and belief were likewise cleansed so that he clearly saw who Jesus was.
When we likewise ask God for healing, we can have faith that our Lord will hear our prayer and will heal within us that which is most in need according to His plan for us. We don’t always understand all that is in play when it comes to that plan, we don’t know what greater purpose God has in store for us. We can have faith that He knows our desires, but we must understand that He also knows what is truly needed, even if those are two different things. It is hard to accept this at times, especially when we are afraid and uncertain of what will happen to us. Yet there is reason for the greatest hope, as beings of both body and spirit, we have a duality of nature that is completely part of us, and that interacts to produce our whole selves. Our overall wellbeing requires that the healing which God provides comes to whichever part of our essence our Lord sees as needing it, and it in turn affects us as a whole. We can rejoice that we have a loving Father who knows of the needs of both these natures and will always look out for our complete good. We can trust in this, we need to trust in this, because it is only through this trust that we can know the peace that comes from God. This is the cure that will see us through, no matter what the infirmity, no matter how long a healing might take, and will ultimately result in our being drawn closer to both our God, and our heavenly home.
The Deacons Bench 