But his servants came up and reasoned with him. “My father,” they said, “if the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary, would you not have done it? All the more now, since he said to you, ‘Wash and be clean,’ should you do as he said.” (2 Kgs 5:13)
Like Naaman, we always look for the “extraordinary” in things. The more mind-blowing, the more miraculous, the better we think something is. That’s why the Israelites couldn’t accept Jesus as their Savior, he wasn’t flashy, wasn’t extraordinary like David’s bravery or Solomon’s wisdom. He was the son of a carpenter, born in a stable; how could He save the world? Personally, I have experienced the Naaman in me many times and continue to struggle with it.
Like Naaman, we always look for the “extraordinary” in things. The more mind-blowing, the more miraculous, the better we think something is. That’s why the Israelites couldn’t accept Jesus as their Savior, he wasn’t flashy, wasn’t extraordinary like David’s bravery or Solomon’s wisdom. He was the son of a carpenter, born in a stable; how could He save the world? Personally, I have experienced the Naaman in me many times and continue to struggle with it.
A few years ago my wife and I started to feel a void in our spiritual lives. We were searching for something to fill that void and get our spiritual life back. Then my brother and his wife started inviting us to attend an ME weekend. But did I say yes to his many invitations, of course not! I was looking for something different, something “extraordinary.” I didn’t think a marriage encounter retreat could be the extraordinary event that would transform our spiritual lives.
After several years of convincing, we finally said yes. And when we got there, I was expecting some miraculous transformation, some kind of epiphany or flash-of-lightning moment; but there was nothing! I thought maybe the LSS would be it, especially after hearing some of the stories, but no, not at that one either. In fact nothing happened to me: no gift of tongues, no “slain-by-the-Spirit” experience, nothing at all. I am sure my shepherd was pretty disappointed. I went home feeling the same, nothing had changed. Of course, only years later did I start to realize how wrong I was.
I finally realized that God’s healing power does not come from doing extraordinary works. That being a loving husband to my wife, a good father to my kids, and doing all the other ordinary things I do in my daily life, the way God planned it, is what it’s all about…nothing fancy, nothing extraordinary.
Fr. Escriva said it best when he wrote; “How great a thing it is to be accompanying God through the faithful fulfillment of your ordinary daily duties, coming through struggles which fill Our Lord with joy, and which are known only to him and to each one of us. Rest assured that you will usually find few opportunities for dazzling deeds, one reason being that they seldom occur. On the other hand, you will not lack opportunities, in the small and ordinary things around you, of showing your love for Christ.” Amen!
After several years of convincing, we finally said yes. And when we got there, I was expecting some miraculous transformation, some kind of epiphany or flash-of-lightning moment; but there was nothing! I thought maybe the LSS would be it, especially after hearing some of the stories, but no, not at that one either. In fact nothing happened to me: no gift of tongues, no “slain-by-the-Spirit” experience, nothing at all. I am sure my shepherd was pretty disappointed. I went home feeling the same, nothing had changed. Of course, only years later did I start to realize how wrong I was.
I finally realized that God’s healing power does not come from doing extraordinary works. That being a loving husband to my wife, a good father to my kids, and doing all the other ordinary things I do in my daily life, the way God planned it, is what it’s all about…nothing fancy, nothing extraordinary.
Fr. Escriva said it best when he wrote; “How great a thing it is to be accompanying God through the faithful fulfillment of your ordinary daily duties, coming through struggles which fill Our Lord with joy, and which are known only to him and to each one of us. Rest assured that you will usually find few opportunities for dazzling deeds, one reason being that they seldom occur. On the other hand, you will not lack opportunities, in the small and ordinary things around you, of showing your love for Christ.” Amen!