Sunday’s Coming

Do the easy thing. It's easier. (2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c)

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Thomas's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and online-only content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

At the heart of Naaman's story is a brilliant question. I don't know the names of those who ask it; they're anonymous servants in the text, supposedly the minor characters whose words don't matter. But their question cuts and burns: "If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash, and be clean?'"