Our readings today offer two very different positions about faith and being faithful. A juxtaposition with a “non-believer” taking a leap of faith and the believers being redescent about faithful action. As I read the first reading, my initial reaction was “interesting story, but why so significant?” Then I read the gospel and the profound difference in behavior and action.
In the first reading, we read of Naamen (a Syrian) from Aram.  As an Aramean, he was a pagan believing in multiple gods with Hadad being the most important.  His wife’s slave girl, an Israeli and believer in the Lord, exercises much bravery and faith in just the act of coming forward and asserting that he could be healed by advising him to seek the prophet in Samaria.  It is telling that Naamen’s king supported him following the advice of his servant.  Even more amazing that armed with wealth, Naamen headed to Samaria.  Again, it was his servants encouraging him to take the directive from Elisha and bathe in the Jordan and he DID!

Fast forward to Nazareth, the “hometown” of Jesus and his earthly family.  Here were the Jewish “believers” yet they displayed more scorn than faith in the words of Jesus.  No matter what Jesus demonstrated in His knowledge of scriptures and their meanings, His neighbors rejected not only His words but also HIM!!  The familiarity provided a barrier not an opening.  Instead of “wow, Mary and Joseph’s son really knows His scripture.”  It was rejection of His message and an indignation that this “carpenter’s son” would talk that way to them.  Jesus’s words have been repeated in so many modern situations:

Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.

His words reflect disturbing truth that is experienced in many lives.  Many are more willing to listen to strangers than family, friends, or neighbors.  So many times, we believe that statements from others who are less known to us are superior to anything said by those well-known to us.  How can those familiar have valuable ideas to share?  Of course, this is not the case 100% of the time but unfortunately probably more times than is helpful.

I’m reminded of the scene with Thomas after the Resurrection.

(Thomas) Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. . .
(Jesus) Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.
(Thomas) My Lord and my God!
(Jesus) Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

We are, indeed, blessed.  I have often wondered how those so close to Jesus kept doubting what now seems so oblivious.  The blind, see; the lame, walk; the dead, rise!  And yet doubts existed in many of those who stood and watched these miracles happen.  We are blessed that there were those who DID believe and recorded these wonders and miracles!  We are blessed to believe without actual seeing! We are blessed that we have a Savior who gave His life to save us!  We are blessed to be rescued!

Rescue  Lauren Daigle