[ Today's Readings ]
Today the LORD reminds us that there are no limits on his blessings and mercy. He gives them to those that are considered undeserving in the eyes of the world. He doesn't care if they are Samaritan or Jew. No one deserves it. All he asks in return is thanks.
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
The ultimate blessing we receive is the salvation that comes from the gospel that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. It is for this reason that we can enter the cleansing waters of baptism, no matter who we are, and give thanks to God. It is because Jesus died and is risen that we hope to die and live with him in order to obtain eternal glory.
The secret to making sure the blessings we have don't go to waste is found in thankfulness. It starts when we truly realize the depth of the blessings we are given.
Naaman said: “If you will not accept,
please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth,
for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice
to any other god except to the LORD.”
This morning we need to know that we already have far more than any cleansed leper because of what we receive in our baptism. We are united to God in a way that Naaman would not dare to dream. Let us be faithful to that gift and give thanks with all our hearts.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands:
break into song; sing praise.
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