“The Lord is here” were Rev. Helen Kirk’s opening words for our service last Sunday. Our musicians, Neil & Jill Barnett read from 2 Kings 5 (Naaman is Lord) and Luke 17 (Jesus heals ten men).
Naaman was a well respected, powerful army commander but he suffered from leprosy. We all have problems and need healing. Rather than protect us God promises to be with us in our suffering. Naaman finds help not from his own resources but through a poor servant girl. He listens because he is desperate. If the world listened at a personal level then differences would lose their importance. When we pray do we believe in a God who can make a difference? God is the power of love in action. Naaman is offered a simple cure – to wash in the Jordan River – but he expects some kind of ritual. Do we place importance on ritual rather than divine connection? Our role is to receive the love and grace of God. Naaman let go of his personal trappings and was cured. What do we need to discard in order to be made new? Helen led prayers for peace in our world, in our hearts and for the afflicted.