On this Monday of the third week of lent each year I’m always struck by the contrast between Naaman, who came to believe, and the people of Nazarath, who hardened their hearts toward Jesus.
You would expect the stories to be reversed, no? You would expect Naaman, a pagan, a gentile, a Syrian, to dismiss the strange words of Elisha. After all, he didn’t worship Elisha’s God, the God of Israel, and Naaman even visits Elisha on the word of a little jewish slave girl. It is somewhat farfetched, that a powerful general listens to such a small voice, but he does. And because of his faith, he is cleansed.
And then contrast Naaman’s faith, with the faithlessness of Nazareth. Is this an example of familiarity breeds contempt? Were the people of Nazareth so hardened toward Jesus because they had known him as a young boy? They knew his mother, and father, they didn’t appear to be special. They certainly didn’t conform to the royal family from which the Messiah would be born. But you’d at least think that someone would have been compelled by Jesus’ testimony in the synagogue.
This contrast raises important questions about the nature of faith and the barriers that often obstruct it. Naaman's openness to the voice of God, even when it came from unexpected sources, allowed him to experience the power of God's healing. In contrast, the people of Nazareth's hardened hearts prevented them from recognizing the divine presence in their midst, despite the evidence before them.
In reflecting on these stories, we are challenged to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards God's presence in our lives. Are we open to encountering God in unexpected places and through unexpected people, like Naaman was? Or do we allow familiarity and preconceived notions to blind us to the divine presence, like the people of Nazareth?
Sometimes, Catholics may become so accustomed to the rituals and practices of their faith that they lose sight of the deeper meaning behind them. Attending Mass, saying prayers, and participating in sacraments can become mere routines rather than opportunities for spiritual growth and connection with God.
Catholics have a rich tradition of Scripture and teachings handed down through the millennia. However, when we fail to engage personally with these sources, relying solely on what we’ve been told or what they remember from childhood, if we shy away from engaging with the intellectual aspects of our faith, we miss out on the depth and richness of our faith.
And even worse, constant Catholic Church teaching reminds us that all believers are called to holiness and to live lives of virtue and charity. However, complacency can leads us to neglect this call, settling for a comfortable, morally lax existence rather than striving for spiritual growth and transformation.
Rather, to combat complacency and foster growth in faith, we must cultivate a spirit of openness and humility: recognizing that there is always more to learn and understand about God and the faith. We are to strive to deepen in our prayer lives through meditation and contemplation. And we are to take seriously the call to holiness—to cultivate virtues in a heroic manner, and never settle for moral mediocrity. As we journey through this season of Lent, may we cultivate hearts that are open and receptive to God's word, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.
For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
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