Day 1 (Monday)
4 Kingdoms 5:1-27; 6:8-23 (Naaman the Syrian is Cleansed, Aramean Attack is Thwarted)
Last time, we saw several of the miracles that God did through Elisha, including the raising from the dead of the son of the Shunamite woman. We noted there, and in the other stories, how these miracles prefigure and prophesy the Lord’s ultimate healing of all humanity, with not just the resurrection, but also the multiplication of the food to feed the crowd, and the remedy given to the food in the pot, which had been death for those who ate of it, so that it became nourishment for them once meal/grain was added to it. This time, we will see two more miracles of Elisha, in what will be a longer reading. Those who are constrained for time should consider skipping the episode in which Gehazi tries to get money from Naaman; suffice to say, it doesn’t work.
The Healing of Naaman
5 Na′aman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little maid from the land of Israel, and she waited on Na′aman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samar′ia! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Na′aman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the maiden from the land of Israel.” 5 And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”
So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten festal garments. 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Na′aman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7 And when the king of Israel read the letter, he rent his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.”
8 But when Eli′sha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you rent your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Na′aman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the door of Eli′sha’s house. 10 And Eli′sha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.”
11 But Na′aman was angry, and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper. 12 Are not Aba′na and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?”
So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him; and he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” 16 But he said, “As the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
17 Then Na′aman said, “If not, I pray you, let there be given to your servant two mules’ burden of earth; for henceforth your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord. 18 In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.” 19 He said to him, “Go in peace.”
Gehazi’s Greed
But when Na′aman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Geha′zi, the servant of Eli′sha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Na′aman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him, and get something from him.” 21 So Geha′zi followed Na′aman. And when Na′aman saw some one running after him, he alighted from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?”
22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of E′phraim two young men of the sons of the prophets; pray, give them a talent of silver and two festal garments.’” 23 And Na′aman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him, and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two festal garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they carried them before Geha′zi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and put them in the house; and he sent the men away, and they departed.
25 He went in, and stood before his master, and Eli′sha said to him, “Where have you been, Geha′zi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did I not go with you in spirit when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Na′aman shall cleave to you, and to your descendants for ever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.
4 Kingdoms 6:1-7 – The Miracle of the Ax Head – omitted for the sake of time
The Aramean Attack Is Thwarted
8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place of which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.
11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Eli′sha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber.” 13 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army; and they came by night, and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was round about the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Eli′sha prayed, and said, “O Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.”
So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Eli′sha. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Eli′sha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray thee, with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Eli′sha. 19 And Eli′sha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city; follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samar′ia.
20 As soon as they entered Samar′ia, Eli′sha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and lo, they were in the midst of Samar′ia. 21 When the king of Israel saw them he said to Eli′sha, “My father, shall I slay them? Shall I slay them?” 22 He answered, “You shall not slay them. Would you slay those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians came no more on raids into the land of Israel.
Reading 9 – 1545 words
Discussion questions:
1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out how Naaman’s healing comes through what is effectively a baptism, and how it actually functions as a baptism for him. From that day, he commits himself to be a faithful worshipper of Yahweh only, to the point of asking for mercy on those occasions when he is required to enter the temple of the gods of Assyria to assist his master. We should also note the harsh penalty that comes upon Gehazi, as he abuses the gift of God’s grace to his master for his own enrichment. If we attend to the words of the prophets, and all of Scripture, it is always these sins that God speaks of most harshly. Failures due to human weakness are dealt with mercifully, but abusing the authority and power of God to fleece the innocent for one’s own gain, whether they can afford it or not, is condemned absolutely. Finally, the Leader should point out that what Elisha sees, with the hosts of heaven constantly surrounding him, is the actual truth of our life in this world. What we see and experience is NOT actually reality; it is only a small piece of it, the trial that we are given by God, and called to endure in faithfulness and love.)
2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?
3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?
4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )
5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?
Day 2 (Wednesday)
St. Gregory the Theologian – On the Holy Lights – 2
Last time we saw St. Gregory begin by speaking of the Lord’s Baptism as a great mystery, but not like the mysteries of the Greeks and other pagan peoples. We noted how the distinction between the two is that, for the Greeks, they simply recount things that their gods had done, and strive to appease or control the gods with them by imitation or participation in those things. In contrast, our Lord Jesus Christ acts first, uniting Himself with us, and remaining always present with us, and then invites us to respond to His self-emptying by being present with Him. Thus we do not engage in the depravities and shameful acts of the pagan mysteries…but we enter into the waters of baptism, where the Lord has come to meet with us, and we are transformed by him there. But let us see how St. Gregory continues.
On the Baptism of Christ (On the Holy Lights) – Part 2
7 So let the children of the Greeks play with these things, and the demons from whom their foolishness has come, who draw aside God’s honor to themselves and divide people in various ways into shameful opinions and fantasies. For they have expelled us from the tree of life31 by means of the tree of knowledge32 partaken of inappropriately at the wrong time, then overrun us since we were weaker than before, carrying away completely our guide, the mind, and opening a door to the passions.
For since they are by nature envious and hate humankind—or rather became such because of their own wickedness—they could not bear those below attaining things on high, since they themselves fell to earth from above, nor could they bear the occurrence of such a transformation of humans’ glory and first nature. This is the persecution of the one molded,33 through this the image of God34 is outraged; and as we did not see fit to keep the commandment35 we have been given over to the self-rule of error, and as we have erred we have been dishonored by the things we venerated.
For there was not only this disaster, that having been made for good works to his glory and praise and having been made to imitate God as far as is possible, we have become a base of operations for all kinds of passions, which devour horribly and consume the inner human being;36 but also we have set up the gods as advocates of the passions, so that sin is regarded not only as blameless but even as divine, since it appeals to this defense, the things worshipped.
8 As for us, as indeed we have been given grace to flee the error of superstition, be joined to the truth and serve the living and true God,37 and to rise above the creation, passing beyond everything subject to time and the first motion, so also let us know and reflect on the things around God and divine things. As we begin, let us reflect on where it is better to begin; and it is better where Solomon legislated for us. “The beginning of wisdom,” he says, “is to acquire wisdom.”38 What does he mean by this “beginning of wisdom”? Fear.39
For one must not begin from contemplations and end in fear—for unbridled contemplation would perhaps push us down precipices—but let us be set straight and purified by fear and, if I may speak thus, made light so as to rise on high. For where there is fear there is keeping of commandments; and where there is keeping of commandments there is purification of the flesh, that cloud covering the soul and not allowing one to see purely the divine ray; and where there is purification there is illumination. And illumination is the fulfillment of desire for those who aim for the greatest things, or that which is greatest, or that which is beyond greatness.
9 Because of this, let us each first purify ourselves, then come close to the pure, if indeed we do not want what Israel experienced, not bearing the glory of Moses’ face and because of this needing a veil,40 or again what Manoah experienced, so that he said, “We are lost, wife, we have seen God,” as God appeared to him;41 or like Peter, to send away Jesus from the boat, as not worthy of such a visit.42 And when I say Peter, of whom do I speak? The one who walked on the waves.43
Or, like Paul, to be stricken in the eyes, when before being purified of persecuting he came close to the one he persecuted, or rather to a brief flash of the great light;44 or, like the centurion to seek healing, but because of praiseworthy fear not receive the healer into his house.45 Let such of us also, as long as he is not yet purified, but is still a centurion ruling many in evil, and serves as a soldier for Caesar the world ruler of those dragged downward, say, “I am not sufficient for you to come under my roof.”46
But when he has seen Jesus, though he was small in spiritual stature like the renowned Zaccheus47 and has climbed atop the sycamore tree, mortifying his limbs upon the earth48 and mounting above the body of lowliness,49 then indeed let him receive the word and hear, “Today salvation has come to this house,”50 and let him receive salvation and bear the more mature fruits, pouring forth and dispersing well what he has gathered badly as a tax collector.51
10 For the same Word is both fearful because of his nature to those who are not worthy and graspable because of his love for humankind to those who are thus prepared, who have driven out the impure and material spirit from their souls and swept clean and adorned their own souls by full knowledge,52 and not let them be idle or inactive so as to be seized again with greater power by the seven spirits of wickedness,53 whose number equals that of the virtues.54
For what is hardest to fight calls for more effort. But to flight from vice they add practice of virtue, bringing to dwell within themselves the whole Christ, or as much of him as possible, so that the wicked power does not encounter any empty place to fill again with himself, and the last state does not become worse than the first55 through the greater vehemence of the attack and because the fortress is more secure and more difficult to capture.
When we have “guarded our own soul with all vigilance”56 and “arranged ascents in our heart,”57 and “broken up our fallow ground”58 and “sown unto righteousness,”59 as Solomon and David and Jeremiah advise, let us light in ourselves the light of knowledge. Then let us speak of the wisdom of God hidden in a mystery60 and illumine others. Meanwhile, let us purify ourselves and be initiated beforehand into the Word, that we may work the most good possible for ourselves, making ourselves deiform, and receive the Word who is coming; and not only this but also hold him fast and manifest him to others.
St Gregory of Nazianzus, Festal Orations, ed. John Behr, trans. Nonna Verna Harrison, vol. 36, Popular Patristics Series (Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2008), 79–97.
Reading 2 – 1060 words
31 Gen 3:22–24.
32 Gen 2:9–17.
33 Gen 2:7.
34 Gen 1:26–27.
35 Gen 2:16–17.
36 Eph 3:16.
37 Heb 9:14.
38 Prov 4:7.
39 Sir 1:16.
40 Exod 34:30–35.
41 Judg 13:22.
42 Luke 5:8.
43 Matt 14:28–29.
44 Acts 9:1–18.
45 Matt 8:5–10.
46 Matt 8:10.
47 Luke 19:2–10.
48 Col 3:5.
49 Phil 3:21.
50 Luke 19:9.
51 Luke 19:8.
52 Matt 12:44; Luke 11:25.
53 Matt 12:45; Luke 11:26.
54 Isa 11:2, LXX.
55 Matt 12:45; Luke 11:26.
56 Prov 4:23.
57 Ps 84:5.
58 Jer 4:3.
59 Hos 10:12.
60 1 Cor 2:7.
Discussion questions:
1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note St. Gregory’s basic point; the Lord comes to us who are bound in darkness and false belief and slavery to the demon gods of the nations, and calls us to be purified. The question we face is how we are to respond to Him, existing naturally as we do under the sway of the devil, and St. Gregory affirms that we should do so first with awe, with fear and trembling as we behold God Himself come to deliver us. Therefore he quotes Proverbs, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and urges that fear and awe upon us all, that we may diligently renounce the old life and become purified by obedience to the Lord of Glory Who comes to us. For we cannot come to know God without obedience, faithfulness, and purity.)
2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?
3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?
4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )
5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?
Day 3 (Friday)
Acts 23:12-35 (Plot to Kill Paul, Paul Sent to Felix the Governor)
Last time we saw St. Paul before the Sanhedrin, where he ran afoul of the High Priest and the Sadducees, but gained the protection of the Pharisees when he affirmed that it was for his defense of the doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead that he was being attacked. When the order in the Sanhedrin broke down, the tribune removed him once again and brought him back to the barracks where he was imprisoned. This time, we will see the events transpire which result in Paul’s final departure from Jerusalem.
The Plot to Kill Paul
12 In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who joined in this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you, on the pretext that you want to make a more thorough examination of his case. And we are ready to do away with him before he arrives.”
16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush; so he went and gained entrance to the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, drew him aside privately, and asked, “What is it that you have to report to me?”
20 He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more thoroughly into his case. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they kill him. They are ready now and are waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, ordering him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.”
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23 Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o’clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. 28 Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. 29 I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. 33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.
Reading 43 – 598 words
Discussion questions:
1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that the hatred that the Sadducees showed toward the Lord remains strong toward His followers, with this group of zealous Jews swearing to assassinate Paul. This is important for us to understand; the high priesthood was held by unfaithful people, who wielded it as a tool for power and the accumulation of wealth. This was the party of the Sadducees; they had long ago abandoned faithfulness to the Lord, and were only interested in power. Paul’s preaching of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ threatened their power, as the Lord Himself had done, and therefore they were determined to see him dead. It is this determination which sets him on his journey to Rome, and similarly this ultimate rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ which sets the leaders of Jerusalem on the road to rebellion and the eventual destruction of the Temple.)
2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?
3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?
4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )
5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?