The 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Sunday 9 October 2022

Today is Sunday the 9th of October, beginning the 28th week of Ordinary time.


The community of Taizé sing Behüte mich, Gott : “Keep me God, for I trust in you. You show me the path of life. With you there is fullness of joy.”

Behüte mich Gott, ich vertraue dir
Du zeigst mir den Weg zum Leben
Bei dir ist Freude, Freude in Fülle


Today’s reading is from the Second Book of Kings.


2 Kings 5:14-17

So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant.’ But he said, ‘As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!’ He urged him to accept, but he refused. Then Naaman said, ‘If not, please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will no longer offer burnt-offering or sacrifice to any god except the LORD.

Here is an example in the Old Testament of God’s graciousness extending beyond Israel. Elisha knew and had confidence in a big God. He also understood human nature: how we like to be in control of our own destiny and to avoid being in debt to anyone. Elisha will accept no payment for the miracle in spite of Naaman’s protestations.

We can feel uncomfortable about receiving something of value without having really worked for it. Can you think of a time you have felt this kind of discomfort in receiving something you hadn’t worked for?


We might think of Peter having Jesus wash his feet, making him clean all over, rather like Naaman. This doesn’t feel comfortable.


We would often so much prefer feeling that we’ve earned our salvation. How do you feel about your own salvation? . . . How about getting in touch with the abundance, and embarrassment almost, of God’s gift to you . . .

Listening again, consider how God is enjoying this little episode involving Naaman and Elisha.

Are there areas in your life where you sometimes feel you’ve earned your place in heaven? Areas that you feel perhaps too attached to… Get in touch with one of these now and talk to the Lord about it, as one friend speaks to another.


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.