St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Community is a welcoming and active, Roman Catholic parish serving the community of Mill Creek / Bothell, Washington. Our parish is served by the Religious Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit under the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. We are a diverse community of believers, guided by the Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are a community that welcomes all people, inviting them into our spiritual home as we deepen our relationship with God. We are one faith family, united by our Lord and Savior,  Jesus Christ. Welcome to our faith community. I invite you to join us for liturgy and fellowship. 

The Solemnity of All Saints reminds us of who we are and what a bright future can be ours. As we celebrate all the saints, both those canonized and those who are unknown, we are joyful that they have reached the goal of life, heaven. They remind us to keep our sights fixed high, to remember who we are and the glorious possibility that God offers us.

Dear brothers and sisters, the readings we meditated last week spoke of living faith, a faith that shines in the shadows. Today the readings tell us about healing faith, a faith that embraces gratitude. Because we are called to pray endlessly, to thank God in all circumstances of life and in this way, we do the will of God.

In today's first reading from the second book of the Kings, we are told about the healing of Naaman, a foreigner in the land of Israel. Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram and suffered from leprosy. The king of Aram told Naaman to go to the king of Israel bringing a letter he would provide. Naaman left, carrying a series of gifts to present to the king of Israel. When the king of Israel read the letter, he became very angry and tore his garments. The letter said: "I have sent to you my servant Naaman, so that you can cure him of his leprosy." In some way, the king of Aram believed that the king of Israel was a god. This greatly offended the king of Israel. Without understanding the true purpose of the letter, the king of Israel believed that the king of Aram was trying to argue with him. Meanwhile, Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments. He sent a message to the king, asking him to let Naaman approach him so he would know that there is a prophet in Israel. Taking his whole retinue, Naaman went to Elisha. After stopping at the entrance of Elisha's house, Elisha sent him a messenger, saying, "Go, wash yourself in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean."

My brothers and sisters, what do we learn from this reading?
First, when we pray to God for a favor, we do not tell God how he should answer our prayers. Because God knows what is best for our spiritual life and the sanctification of each one of us.
Second, in our daily relationship with God there is no place for pride. Before Naaman could be healed, he had to humble himself. "For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." When Naaman humbled himself, the glory of God manifested through him.

Third, when Elisha refused to accept any gift from Naaman in thanksgiving, he was practicing what the Lord Jesus preached eight centuries later. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, clean the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.”
Today's second reading concludes by saying: “If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we persevere with him, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself. ” Having died with Christ, our lives are hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then we will also be revealed with Him in his glory.

Today's readings give us the opportunity to reflect on our own disposition during prayer. Do we beg God for a special favor, but forget to show gratitude by giving thanks when our prayers are answered? Do we persevere in our prayers as Paul persevered in his sufferings? If we pray while we are in a state of mortal sin and the priest tells us to go and cleanse ourselves through the Sacrament of Confession so that our prayer is pleasing in the eyes of God, do we complain, doubt or even harden our hearts?
Today's readings give us answers as to why some prayers are not answered. They teach us that we are healed when we show gratitude to God for the abundance of blessings He has given us from the moment we were created.

Walking together as brothers and sisters

We are St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.  A diverse Catholic family guided by the Holy Spirit, committed to serve others and deepen our relationship with the Heart of Jesus. 

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church is served by the Religious Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit from
Christ the Priest Province under the
Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.

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