Today's readings bring us a powerful message - God's gifts are bestowed through simple acts - washing in the Jordan; believing Jesus and doing what he asks.

The story of Naaman is part of the background of the story of the healing of the ten lepers: Naaman was angry because the prophet Elisha demanded a very simple thing of him: to wash seven times in the river Jordan.

In the story of the ten lepers, Jesus did not say he would cure them nor did he make any gesture such as touching them or blessing them. He told them simply to go to the priests, which they would have had to do if they were healed: it was almost as if Jesus was testing their belief and trust in him. They showed their trust by taking Jesus at his word and setting off: their simple and trusting obedience to Jesus' word brought them the healing they sought. We all have to learn that it is frequently, even normally, in the simple things of life that the presence and power of God is made known to us.