Location: St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
“There were many people with leprosy in Israel, but none were made clean, except Naaman the Syrian.” – Luke 4:27
In today’s readings, we hear a story about Naaman, a powerful man who was healed of leprosy, a terrible disease, by following a simple instruction from the prophet Elisha. Naaman had to humble himself, remove his armor, and wash in the river to be healed. This story teaches us that sometimes, great things can come from doing simple acts with humility and trust in God.
Just like Naaman, we are all in need of healing in different ways. We may not have leprosy, but we all have wounds, hurts in our lives that need God’s healing touch, God’s special love. Sometimes, all it takes is a humble heart and a willingness to trust in God’s plan for us, to trust in his love for us.
In the Gospel of Luke which we heard today, Jesus reminds us that God’s love is for everyone, even those who may seem different or unworthy in the eyes of the world. Jesus always reached out to the marginalized, the sick, and the outcasts, showing us that everyone is worthy of love and compassion.
So, my dear children, let us learn from Naaman’s story and Jesus’ example. Let us be open to God’s surprises in our lives, trust in His plan for us, and always remember that God’s love is for everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. Let us be like Naaman, willing to humble ourselves and follow God’s guidance, knowing that His love and healing are always available to us. And let us follow Jesus’ example of reaching out to those in need, showing love and compassion to all, just as He did.
As Pope Francis has reminded us, we must always be open to God’s surprises, trust in His love for us, and share that love with everyone we meet. (Great Jubilee of Mercy, December 8, 2015)
May our holy Mother of Guadalupe protect you always!
