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 justification by  the  Sacraments  of  Baptism  and  Penance. Leprosy represents sin,  and  the  waters  of  Jordan  both  the  baptismal  waters and tears  of  contrition  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance. In Naaman’s case his  flesh  became  as  the  flesh  of  a little  child: even  so  is  the  soul washed from  all  its  sins  by  Baptism  and  Penance. But to  obtain  this inward purity,  the  sinner  must,  like  Naaman,  humble  himself  and  fulfil the exact  conditions  of  forgiveness.

Holy water. The  blessing  of  the  water  of  Jericho  by  Eliseus  was a type of  the  blessing  of  holy  water  by  the  Church; and  at  the  blessing of it  the  miracle  of  Eliseus  is  expressly  referred  to. Have you  ever seen how  holy  water  is  blessed,  and  what  the  priest  throws  into  it? He throws  in  blessed  salt  and  prays  in  the  name  of  the  Church  that the water  may  be  freed  from  the  influence  of  the  evil  one,  and  be salutary  to  all  who  use  it  devoutly.

Good and  pious  servants  bring  a blessing  on  their  employers. Naaman’s Israelite  slave  remained  true  to  her  faith  though  she  lived among heathens,  and  her  pious  narration  was  the  cause  of  Naaman being cured  of  his  leprosy  and  converted  to  the  true  faith.

The free  gift  of  grace.  “There  were  many  lepers  in  Israel  in  the time of  Eliseus  the  prophet,  yet  none  of  them  were  cleansed  but Naaman the  Syrian”  (New  Test.  XVII). Thus spoke  our  Lord  at Nazareth,  to  prove  by  this  example  that  “election”  was  not  hereditary in the  family  of  Abraham.

If you  want  to  know  yourself  (and  without self-knowledge  there  can  be  no  amendment  of  life),  ask  yourself what it  is  that  most  easily  disturbs  you. Do you  feel  sad  when others are  praised  or  rewarded? Do you  feel  glad  when  they are blamed  or  punished? If so,  you  are  full  of  selfishness  and envy. Are you  put  out  when  you  cannot  have  your  own  way,  or if  leave  is  refused  you  to  do  something  you  wish? If so,  you are self-willed  and  disobedient.

Never laugh  about  the  sins  of  others. Remember the  offence against God,  and  pray  for  the  conversion  of  those  who  have  sinned.

Have you  ever  derided  old  or  infirm  people? Do you  mock at your  comrades  for  their  physical  infirmities? Just think  how unkind, how  rude,  how  unjust  it  is  to  do  so,  for  they  are  not responsible for  their  physical  defects!

Examine your  conscience  on  the  subject  of  lies. Even if  your lies do  no  harm  to  other  people,  they  do  harm  to  your  own  soul, because every  lie  is  a sin. For the  future  say  an  “Our  Father” whenever you  tell  a lie,  and  then  you  will  keep  a better  watch over yourself,  and  will  cure  yourself  of  this  detestable  habit.