In our catechesis it is common to assert that Adam's sin was essentially a sin of disobedience. Thus, we can sum up the life of Jesus in the words which St Paul quotes in the Letter to the Philippians: "Jesus was obedient unto death, even death on a cross."

The story of Naaman in today's first reading is essentially a story of obedience and the way in which an act of simple obedience opens us up to the saving power of God's grace. In this story of healing from leprosy, God's saving power takes the form of cleansing the body from the disease, and cleansing is a symbol of the forgiveness of sin.

At first, Naaman was reluctant to obey what he considered to be an unreasonable command, and who could blame him?

In our relationship with God, obedience plays an important part for it demands that we be open to the word of God and be docile to the Holy Spirit. As the Verse before the Gospel expresses it: "I hope in the Lord, I trust in his word." Even when we do not understand, obedience brings forgiveness, salvation and hope.