The First Reading is from the Book of Sirach. Sirach insists that the poor person’s gift is equal in value to the rich person’s gift. God has no favorite. Although God has no favorites, he does have a special place in his heart for the prayer of the weak, oppressed, orphaned, the deaf, and widowed. These are not necessarily poor people; rather, they are those who approach God in prayer with humility, recognizing their needs and their dependence upon God for help.

The First Reading is taken from the Second Book of Kings. The scene in today’s reading reveals not only Naaman’s cleansing from leprosy, but also his transformation from arrogant resistance to humble acceptance, and his new faith in the God of Israel. As a man of means, Naaman desires to offer gifts to Elisha. But Elisha refuses because he wants to make it clear to Naaman that it is God, not he, who is the source of his healing. This story is intended to show God’s concern for non-Jewish persons, which is also a central theme in today’s Gospel.

The First Reading is from the Book of the Prophet Habakkuk. This prophet accuses God of not listening to his cry for help and not intervening in the face of violence. Habakkuk’s cry for help should not be interpreted as a sign of despair but as the lament of one who has known the love of God and yearns to heighten the experience of that love in the midst of desperate circumstances. Because of Habakkuk's sincerity, God answers his prayer, not with immediate relief, but with encouragement to wait and be patient as the end is not far off.