In today’s first reading, we hear of Naaman, a successful military commander who is also a leper. Much to Naaman’s surprise, a messenger of Elijah and not the prophet himself proposes a strange method for healing Naaman’s leprosy: “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean” (2 Kings 5:10). Enraged by the lack of personal attention from the prophet Elijah as well as the simple but strange method of healing, Naaman refuses to do it. Yet, after reasoning with his servants, he humbles himself and submits to the request, bathes in the Jordan River seven times, and is healed.

How often do we question the message of healing in our own lives because of who delivers it? Or how often do we question the methods of recovery? Sometimes our own biases cause us to minimize the advice from others in recovery. Just as Naaman questioned the seemingly farcical method of bathing in a dirty creek, so might we also be tempted to question and refuse the simple advice of avoiding our drug of choice or attending a 12-step meeting. We might wonder: Could it be that simple? Yet, those of us firmly rooted in recovery would reply with a resounding “Yes!” Once we begin to work the steps we start to see that God is doing for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. But, like Naaman, it requires honesty, humility, and open-mindedness to find healing for our wounds of addiction within the mysterious waters of God’s grace.

Reflection Questions

• How has your pride interfered with recovery? What can you do today to work against it with God’s help?
• What close-minded biases have you held onto that may be hindering your progress? What can you do to be more open to God’s “messengers” of healing in your life?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-15ab
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4
Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Reflection by Jon S.