Elizabeth Eckford Enters Little Rock Central High School, September 1957. Hazel Bryan Shouts Behind Her, Each Aged 15 Years. 

(St. Paul wrote) ….such is my gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.    2 Timothy 2:9

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First, a few words of necessary explanation, The first reading states that Naaman, who had just been cured of leprosy through the intercession of the prophet Elisha, requested “two mule-loads of earth” in order to offer holocaust or sacrifice to the God of Elisha (and our God) once he got home. He was a foreigner: he was Syrian, not Jewish. To understand that strange request we have to return to that time and place. You will note that each country had its own gods and goddesses back then. Egypt had familiar gods, such as Isis and Horus, Mesopotamia had Ashur and Marduc and so on. And just look at what the Greek gods and goddesses got up to! They were all gods of place, not universal deities. This was found almost everywhere. Consequently the Syrian Naaman, wanted the local earth of Elisha’s God so he could bring that place, as it were, home with him and consequently the God of Elisha. The fact that the Jewish God was universal took some time to be accepted even by Jews. The exile in Babylon assisted in the development of that radical concept. 

Secondly, the single cured leper to return to Jesus to thank God through him was called a “foreigner” by Jesus because he was a Samaritan. Although Jewish, the Samaritans were a somewhat despised branch of Judaism as they had apparently allowed elements of other religions to creep into their beliefs, they also allowed intermarriage with non-Jews, and other practices considered blasphemous by strict Jews. But no such condemnation from the Lord, simply the word “foreigner” and gratitude that he had returned to give thanks (though the Greek original says “glory”) to God. 

So perhaps today’s readings invite us to consider our own attitude towards “foreigners”. It is, one might say, a touchy subject. I myself was once a focus of hatred for no other reason than I was born in Britain. I was an assistant principal in a Catholic school in the 80s here in the USA. I had two small flags in my office, the US and the UK. One morning I noticed the UK flag had vanished. I asked the dean of discipline to find out who had done it. He was very good at his job, and within hours had discovered the culprit. I asked him to bring him in to my office. “He won’t come” was the answer. So I sent for his parents. They refused to see me. “Why?” I asked. “Because you’re British” was the answer. They were supporters of the IRA, the Irish Republican Army. It was the time of the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland. And, being British, I was responsible… But my father was Irish. “Your British”. I am a Catholic priest. “You’re British”. I could get nowhere with them. Being unable to return to the womb and be reborn in Ireland (or anywhere other than Britain) I could do nothing. It was the only time in my life I was confronted with pure prejudice, and it was scary and very unfair – just look at that photograph above. But it was also, weirdly, positive. It allowed me to feel what many people must feel every day of their lives for no good reason, and about which I could do nothing. I recall after 9/11 many Sikhs (those men who wear large turbans) were attacked by ignorant ruffians who thought they were Muslim. They were utterly innocent of any wrongdoing – as indeed were so many Muslims who were also attacked, but were completely innocent. All that is so unfair. And so unchristian, as we see from today’s gospel with its example of acceptance, despite the man being “foreign”. Prejudice, stereotyping and its ilk are immoral and utterly at odds with all that is Christian. They are, simply, evil. There should be no room in any heart for anything even approaching prejudice at all. If we are to judge anybody, it must be on their own actions within their community and elsewhere. 

So today, looking at today’s readings, and noting that Paul was “in chains” for his Christian belief, which calls on everyone to honor and respect everyone, the message is clear. If we are called to judge anyone, let it be based on their words, their behavior, their works, in the community and their reputation. And, as with justice itself, let them be presumed innocent unless proven guilty on their actions alone.

Time for Courage, Dietrich Bonhöffer

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