28th Sunday Ordinary Time - Year C


TWO MULE-LOADS OF EARTH

The idea of a universal God was not commonly held in ancient times. Most people thought that each divinity lived and reigned over a specific city or country. When Naaman–-the Syrian army commander-–is cured of leprosy, he is grateful to the God of Israel. He requests a sizeable amount of soil from that country. In a sense he is exporting Israel's Deity to his own land. He will probably spread this dirt near his own house, thus bringing God home.

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful.

Let me take two mules load of earth.

The Word of god is not chained.
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?

SHOW YOURSELVES TO THE PRIESTS

People were terrified by the idea of leprosy in biblical times. They lumped several different things under the name. These ranged from true leprosy and cancer to simple rust or mildew. If a person showed any white spots on his body he had to strip and be examined by a priest. A period of quarantine would be followed by another exam. If the symptoms cleared up, the victim could return home. If the spots remained or grew worse, the person would be banished. The priest carried the responsibility of protecting society from contagion.

Related: Resources on Sunday Readings - Clipart, homelies, articles, coloring pages, music: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

© 2000 by Father Richard Lonsdale. You may freely copy this document. It may be freely reproduced in any non-profit publication.Thie clipart and commentatires above were originally on a web site maintained by Fr. Lonsdale. To copy the clipart images, click with your right mouse button and use "save picture (or image) as…"To view a complete list of clipart images and commentaries: Lonsdale Commentaries and Clipart