LORD, YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL!

Prof./Evangel. Michael Howard, MACS

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" (Lk. 17:11-19)

"The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm." (Ps. 98:1-2)

The responsorial for today, "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power," is a psalm that invites us to rejoice. We should celebrate because God demonstrates generosity towards all nations. Created in God's image, we experience His intention to reveal a saving power to everyone, including those on the margins, those without resources, and those with plenty.

Our readings from the Old and New Testaments reveal a profound truth. In the Old Testament, we learn about Naaman, who "went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God. His flesh became like that of a little child, and he was cleansed of his leprosy" (2 Kings 5:14).

It's important to note that Naaman was a foreigner who initially objected to the idea of immersing himself in the Jordan River, as directed by Elisha. He questioned, "Are not the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?" (2 Kings 5:12).

However, we praise God for revealing His saving power to all nations. This foreigner experienced God's healing grace by listening to His servant, even though he was an outsider.

In the New Testament, we read, "As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee" (Luke 17:11). It is essential to recognize that Jesus was passing through different towns, which might have made him seem like a foreigner in those places. During his journey, ten lepers, each suffering from various sores, called out, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" After following Jesus' instructions to show themselves to the priest, only one returned to say, "Thank you." This foreigner, like Naaman, was blessed because God revealed his healing, love, and saving power to all nations once again.

Therefore, let us praise God as the psalmist encourages us: "Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm" (Psalm 98:1-2). Time and again, God has performed wondrous deeds in our lives, regardless of our status in this chaotic society. The psalmist continues, "He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel." We are reminded that even though the government is closed and ICE is knocking on doors, creating turmoil, God will remember his kindness and faithfulness toward us, just as he did for Israel. The Lord will reveal his saving power to us. God has been faithful!

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