13th Sunday Ordinary Time - Fr. Leo
An unnamed women of influence in our first reading from second Kings is a model of goodness. She is attracted to Elisha because as she said, “Elisha is a holy man of God.” She and her husband provide a room for him to stay as he travels through. They become friends.
What is good to note is that the woman has no name, she could be any woman or person. Also, it is apparent that she is acting out of her desire to do good and to draw near to God. She has no hidden agenda, she is simply being a good person who lovingly extends her hospitality.
Elisha, the holy man, is moved by her kind spirit and ask if something can be done for her. His servant Gehazi recognized that this woman and her husband had no son and time is running out. Immediately Elisha calls the woman to his door and says, “This time next year you will be fondling a baby son.”
Wow, this would be the ultimate blessing for this couple and comes to them because of their desire to serve and not to be served.
For us, we can let ourselves be inspired by the unnamed woman’s kind spirit. We too can seek God by being hospitable and building genuine relationships with those who pass through our lives. If we learn to see God in others, we will know where to begin in opening our heart to build relationships that seek to serve and not to be served.