October 12th - Reflection

2 Kings 5:19b-27 (NRSV)
Greed brings leprosy to Gehazi

But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, "My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly by not accepting from him what he offered. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something out of him." So Gehazi went after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he jumped down from the chariot to meet him and said, "Is everything all right?" He replied, "Yes, but my master has sent me to say, 'Two members of a company of prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim; please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.'" Naaman said, "Please accept two talents." He urged him, and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them in front of Gehazi. When he came to the citadel, he took the bags from them, and stored them inside; he dismissed the men, and they left.

He went in and stood before his master; and Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" He answered, "Your servant has not gone anywhere at all." But he said to him, "Did I not go with you in spirit when someone left his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and to accept clothing, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you, and to your descendants forever." So he left his presence leprous, as white as snow.

Reflection
What are you doing Gehazi? What were you thinking? I know...I know...I'm sure I've sinned also.

Naaman was healed and thankful for what God had done. We always seem to try to pay back the grace we have received. But grace from God we cannot pay back. All we have is from God anyway. But we try to pay back just to make ourselves feel in control of a situation we didn't have any control over. But if we respond to grace...that's something different.

When we respond in kind to love God and another as God has shown us to love...that's grace in action. When we respond; we finally realize that there is nothing we can do to repay or even the score. But what we can do is act likewise to another we meet. But Gehazi?... what was he doing?

Gehazi was taking advantage of that moment in time that Naaman. in his human form, felt that he could pay back. Gehazi took advantage of the moment. And Gehazi was "found out" by Elisha. Now Gehazi was to learn the price of greed. Gehazi left leprous, as white as snow. Did Gehazi later get it? Did he come to see grace? Do you see grace? What will you do?

Prayer
Lord, you show me grace day after day. Each day, you show up at my door. "Can Billy come out to play?" Lead me in that response to your grace...today...tomorrow and forever. --- Amen