‘There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ (Luke 4:27)

We can be tempted to erect artificial boundaries around the workings of grace. ‘Grace can work here, but not there’. Or else, we may think that God’s help can only be obtained through great trial or effort, or perhaps by undertaking overly harsh penance, a temptation for some during this time of Lent. Today’s scriptures challenge our perception and invite us to broaden our understanding of God’s mercy.

Naaman is both an unexpected recipient of grace and a recipient of unexpected grace! He is not of the ‘Chosen People’, and his healing seems so unexpected and impossible that, upon hearing that Naaman is seeking a miraculous cure, the King of Israel fears that this seemingly futile quest for a cure is simply a pretext for war!

Naaman doubts as well. To him, the proposed remedy seems too simple and straightforward to be effective. How could bathing in the Jordan cure leprosy? Surely, to obtain God’s help, more is required! Both Naaman and the King are placing artificial limits on the workings of God’s grace.

As we continue our journey towards Easter, let us renew our trust in God. Let us understand that the offer of salvation extends to those who belong to ‘every tribe and people and nation’, as the book of Revelation confirms (Revelation 7:9). The Spirit moves where it wills, and that is often in unexpected ways among unexpected people. Furthermore, grace is just that — an unmerited gift. It cannot be earned, and it has no limits. This Lent, let us truly believe that God can move in unexpected ways in our lives as well, perhaps, especially where we do not think it is likely or possible. We too, could be the recipients of unexpected grace.

by Fr Michael Grace