The Logic Behind dipping into the River by Naman

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:24-30*

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab*

*The Logic Behind dipping into the River by Naman*

*1) Seven Symbolizes Perfection*

In the biblical understanding 7 stands for perfection

That's why we have 7 sacraments, 7 days for a week, 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit

In Leviticus 4:6 we read about a very solemn ceremony that took place in the temple, “And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary.”

So by dipping 7 times, the Leper Naman will be healed completely

He will be completely and perfectly healed 

So 7 symbolises the Perfection in the life of Naman  

*2) Salvation through a process of 7 Steps*

Our salvation is not something simple, but a process that has seven stages, namely:

1) Acknowledgement of our sins

2) Repentance - sorrow for the sin under the influence of the Holy Spirit

3) Confession

4) Justification – Forgiveness

5) Reconciliation – restoration of the relationship between man and God

6) Sanctification- the process of being cleansed from sin

7) Redemption – glorification- when the image of God will be restored in us and we shall be in His holy presence

Naaman’s skin was as clean as that of a child. He was a new creature, he now knew the true living God personally and started a new life under His guidance.

*3) 7 Capital Sins*

the Seven Deadly Sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a list of the worst vices that cut a person off from God's grace. 

They are the following 

Pride

Greed

Extravagance, later lust

Envy

Gluttony

Wrath

Sloth

Naman was under the influence of these sins. So asking him to dip 7 times will enable him to get rid of all deadly sins 

*4) The River Jordan in our Life*

Like Naman, all of need the dipping into the river. So to our context the following could be considered as the River Jordan

*The Holy Scriptures

*The celebration of the Sacraments

*The practice of the Lenten Spirit

*Prayer Life 

*Service to the humanity 

*Generosity towards others 

*Discipline in ones life 

We need to dip ourselves into these river in order to experience the Healing from the Lord 

*5) Am I ready to Dip?*

Dipping is very necessary

Dipping symbolises the complete involvement oneself into something

The more we dip ourselves the more we become good and clean 

If so, am I ready to dip myself into the Holy things? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*