Rev. George Miller
Nov 6, 2022
2 Kings 5:1-16
It’s officially the Holiday Season, what retailers will say is the most
wonderful time of year.
Except, that for many, it is not.
For anyone feeling lonely, surviving a loss, living with depression, the
next 2 months may feel like superficial joy amped up with steroids,
in which if you are not brimming with excitement, something must be wrong
with you.
Today we acknowledge the reality that the next 8 weeks are going to be
filled with a myriad of emotions, stressors, and financial foibles.
We want to address it. Name
it. Gift all of us with grace and the
permission to feel what you feel without judgement or second guessing.
We acknowledge what the next 8 weeks are and can be for those living with
loss, illness, mental health issues.
This is a season in which one can feel incredibly lonely.
We want to remind you that like any season, this will pass, and we want
you to know that as lonely as you may feel, you are not alone.
Today’s story is a perfect depiction of this theme.
We start with Naaman, commander of the king’s army. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because
he’s a mighty warrior he doesn’t have his own personal battles.
Naaman is living with leprosy, a condition that in scripture is often more
a metaphorical term than a medical one.
Naaman’s condition does not go unnoticed.
A young girl he captured has noticed.
She knows there’s someone in Israel who can address his health related issue
and bring a sense of healing.
As the story unfolds, we see how this young girl, Naaman’s wife, two
kings, a prophet, a prophet’s messenger, and Naaman’s personal servants all get
involved.
Naaman is not alone, although at times he acts as if he is.
When he is told how to receive healing in his situation, Naaman’s 1st
response is to feel anger, a very human reaction.
His next response is that he expected something magical, mystical to
happen right away, without him having to give any effort, or do his part.
How often do witness ourselves wanting the magic pill or heavenly miracle
as opposed to taking our own role in the responsibility?
Naaman next suggests that he knows better and storms away in rage.
Isn’t it wonderful to see how human Naaman is?
Today, I would say that the water does not matter, the location does not
matter, nor the number of times that Naaman dips his body matters.
I think he could’ve been told to pick three flowers and sing a song and
the result would’ve been the same.
What stands out to me is how unalone Naaman is in his condition; how many
people actually care about him, are invested in him, and want the very best for
him.
Even if Naaman doesn’t see it, even if he doesn’t acknowledge it.
Naaman is so, so far away from being alone in this story, and I would venture
to say that it is his connectedness with others that brings about his healing,
that brings about the grace that goes beyond his rage and woes.
Friends, we have entered into a season that is both joyous and dangerous,
a season that is filled with powerful emotions and painful memories.
It is important that as we embark in this season, as we shop, eat, buy,
attend, donate, that we do not let the stress get to us, that we don’t lose focus
on what this season is about.
Nor do we allow ourselves to feel like we are alone. For no one in this sanctuary is alone. We all have each other. We all have the love of God. We all have the grace of Jesus.
If you do feel alone, if you do have a dark moment, reach out. Call me.
Text me. Email me. Set up an office visit. Talk with Diane, Tracy, Ari.
Perhaps the best gift we can give ourselves this season is knowing we are
not alone, but we are One in the Holy Spirit.
We are EMMANUEL.
Amen.
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