Pastor’s Letter: October 13, 2019

Pastor’s Letter: October 13, 2019

11 Oct 2019 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear friend,

The readings this weekend provide some deep reflection on God’s 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’s revelation. The teachings of the Church, which formed with and after the formation of the Bible, reveal God’s truth as well. St. Paul says in his letter that “the Word of God is not chained.” This reference to the freedom of God’s Word and the freedom we receive from believing God’s 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’s 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.

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’s 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’s power and Word exist for all people. After leaving Jesus, all ten lepers were healed, but only the Samaritan returns with gratitude. “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” 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’s Word is unchained for anyone who will believe. As Jesus tells the Samaritan, “Your faith has saved you,” we also are called to have faith in the power of God’s 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’s 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.  Have a great week.

God bless,

Father David