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Reflection on this Sunday's scripture readings
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Today's readings are concerned with healing. In the second Book of Kings the prophet Elisha is shown to have powers of healing not only among his own people but also among Gentiles. Namaan, a commander of the army of the king of Syria, had been struck down with leprosy. His maid told him of Elisha's powers of healing and Namaan persuaded the king to let him go to Samaria to meet him. Our passage deals with the final segment of the story - Namaan's healing and his consequent acknowledgement that it is the God of Israel who is responsible for his skin being restored to health.
The gospel shows Jesus engaged in a similar healing activity. Leprosy was a disease which meant not only pain and disfigurement but also social exclusion. Jesus heals all ten lepers, non-Jews as well as Jews. The only one to thank him is a Samaritan, the only one to see and understand what has happened. His seeing leads him to understand not only that he is healed but that he has found God's salvation. His return to Jesus amounts to his conversion. Luke's message is that Jesus is the one who saves from disease and restores one to human wholeness.
The whole world, including ourselves, is in need of healing in some way. When we pray for healing we are asking for wholeness and for God to draw us to himself. God will bring healing but it may not always be obvious to us.