TRUST AND OBEY

When Naaman the Syrian tossed aside his ego, trusted and obeyed the word of God spoken to him by the prophet Elisha, he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. He returned to give thanks, with a humble disposition, full of faith, willing, eager and ready to offer sacrifice only to one true God through whom he has been restored to health and well-being. (cf 2 Kgs 5:14-17). The Lord’s approval of the ‘foreigner’s thankfulness for favour received – being healed of his leprosy, is a relevant lesson in choosing a grateful and humble attitude (cf Lk 17:11-19).

Beloved people of God, the usual outcome to trusting and obeying God is joy that leads to thanksgiving. Thus is our faith affirmed and confirmed, with greater and more lasting blessings given and received. While pride in our position, our power or influence in this life delays and denies God’s intervention in our lives, learning to trust God and to obey him can be a lasting solution to all the malaise that keeps many in a debilitating hold. Our crippling fears and needless anxiety will melt away if only we can learn to trust and obey God. Then we begin to do his goodwill, which teaches ‘to let go and let God’, ensures our happiness, moves to thanksgiving, reception of more blessings, growth of faith and ends in our salvation. Our lives then become a source of inspiration to others.   

We pray that our faith in Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the things we endure, all that we suffer or offer for the love of his name, may also aim at benefitting the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory (cf 2 Tm 2:8-13). May our lives preach the goodness of salvation in ways that elicit faith.                                                 Fr. Ted