Virtually every Orthodox liturgical service includes one or several litanies. Sometimes people refer in a dismissive way to litanies or petitions as “gimme” exercises. A list of petitions asking God to do this or that for me looks like the ubiquitous “wish list” connected with many web stores which are especially popular this time of year. But if we take a closer look at the petitions we will notice that for the most part we are calling on God to remember people in need. We pray for those who are sick, those suffering from various ecological disasters, terrorism, war, civil strife, or that God remember loved ones who have passed away. We may also pray for peace, safety for travelers, a good harvest, success in various endeavors. The list will include personal needs too, such as forgiveness of sins. In a general sense we are praying for healing in our broken world. Do we expect these prayers to be answered? And if so, in what way? This is not like calling for a plumber to fix a broken pipe.
In today’s gospel lesson the centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. Although Jesus set out to go to the centurion’s home and personally attend to the servant, the centurion wasn’t expecting him to do that. Instead, his expectation was that Jesus could effect this healing simply by his intention to do so. The centurion’s servant was healed, not just because the centurion asked the question but because he recognized the power that Jesus had to bring about the healing. And Jesus recognized the great faith the centurion had in him to effect that healing.
In the Old Testament reading we see another healing. But Naaman had a completely different kind of expectation. In his case he wanted a hands on experience, and he had in mind what that should look like. When Elisha gives instructions through another to Naaman on what he needs to do to be healed, Naaman is furious and storms off. His expectation of personal attention in a particular way was not fulfilled, and he was in no mood to do what Elisha had instructed him to do. It takes the intervention of a third party to get Naaman to reconsider his own actions and follow the guidance given to him by Elisha. Once he consents and does what Elisha told him to do, he is healed. The result? Naaman then comes to believe in Elisha’s God.
Naaman and the centurion both experience the power of God, but the centurion had faith in that power from the beginning, Naaman approached that power with some reluctance but then through his experience his faith is transformed.
So how does healing in our broken world come about? Through faith and the active engagement with God to achieve God’s purpose in this world. Part of the reason faith communities pray and monastic communities exist is to model the kind of living relationships that can be a source of healing in this world. Prayers and petitions are calls to God to remember the needs of this world and also to be with us on the journey through whatever trial we may be facing on our path. The petitions that call for healing are also ways to remind all of us to be part of the healing of our world. We can’t all be in every corner of the world where suffering exists but we can bring that suffering before God. Even more, we can be part of the healing in our immediate circumstances. Helping family, friends and neighbors in need puts hands to God’s intentions. It may be a direct act on our part or we may be like the third party in the Naaman story, the one who guides another back onto the path of healing. We can see examples around the world as well as in our own neighborhoods where people see needs and respond. And this is where saints and heroes are found.
So both scripture and personal experience tell us not to be hesitant to take our personal cares and our concerns for others to God. By doing so, we open the door to God’s salvific help. To do so with assurance as did the centurion is the message from Jesus; but if we are reluctant or timid, remember that Naaman’s hesitancy was the necessary first step that brought him the help he needed to see the power of God he sought but did not immediately recognize. The power of God is always there.
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