I am healed, now what?

For anyone who has suffered from an affliction whether it be mental, physical, or emotional the longing for freedom from the agony of the tribulation when encountered is gratefully appreciated.
The chains are broken and a new life begins, or does it? Is that person truly changed or do they  revert to the ways of the past?  Gratitude is key here. Accepting that God's role in life is key and be willing to acknowledge it is vital.  As Paul states in his letter to Timothy today, " If we persevere, we shall reign with him. But if we deny him, he will deny us." This being said I always wonder what happened to the nine lepers who did not return to Jesus after being healed. Did they accept their healing dismissively and return to a faithless life?

For those who have a new found freedom from an affliction and accept it as God's will there is a call to proclaim the Good News. For those who overcome a physical affliction or disease the realization there is no longer anymore pain brings on a sense of relief. However, those who overcome emotional or mental conditions such as addictions, the realization is gradual much like the leper who seems to realize that he is healed and that it is part of process. In our society of instant gratification many seek the spontaneous healing, thus not becoming grateful or even realizing a healing moment as they then move onto life as lived before. This process becomes a constant bouncing from one remedy to the next without realizing that the only healer is God himself.

For those of us who accept God's healing power, a gradual transformation takes place.   Notice that Namaan, in today's first reading,  was instructed to go into the waters not once, but seven times. Thus we persevere in our suffering. Perhaps the better word is faith. We try and try again putting our hope in God that we will be healed. Finally after plunging into healing waters as Namaan, our skin becomes white like a child. The sores or wounds of the past have been washed away.

Another thing to consider is that in both the first reading and Gospel those that are healed are outsiders. In our society today we have tendency to ostracize or be indifferent to those who fit the outside label. However, Jesus in his infinite grace heals the Samaritan who by his very existence is shunned by Jews and Namaan being an Assyrian is also an avowed enemy of the Jews of the time. Both men even though they are outsiders make it a priority to give God thanks for infinite mercy and healing grace that is bestowed upon them.

The process is not finished. Being dismissed as faithful servants, we are to become living examples of the life of Christ, to carry the message of healing. The word of God is not chained as Paul states. Therefore it becomes incumbent upon those to proclaim the freedom to fellow sufferers or if you may lepers, which pretty much includes all of us.  There lies the challenge, to carry the message and more importantly having the attitude of gratitude that God's healing gift is upon us daily.