"Ephphatha!" - be opened
Sunday Word: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090918.cfm
Mark 7: 3137
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where the other
person was so convinced they are right, or at least wanted to drive their point home, that no matter how hard you tried, they
would be constantly talking over you? Think
of our political debates as each candidate quickly tries to convince the
audience their position is the best choice. It could be rapid fire speech or a
rephrasing of the other candidates words in order to make others think
differently about him/her. Only through
careful listening can we discern the best direction and the best choice.
Yet, we are not the best listeners at times. We might be deaf
to the obvious or maybe so caught up in other distractions that we miss the
basic point. To listen carefully and to
hear the right voice is both an art and an important spiritual skill to
develop. If we don’t listen, we won’t understand. How important it is for us
all to become better listeners so that we can follow in the way the Lord is
leading us.
Today’s Gospel story in which Jesus restores the sense of
hearing to a man who was deaf is a further example of his compassion for
all. The scene is not within Jewish
territory. Rather he is on the other
side of the Sea of Galilee, among the Gentile villages. It appeared to be his
second visit among this population, having worked an exorcism in their region in
the past (Lk 8: 26-39).
Yet, as always, Jesus responds to the suffering of this man and
restores joy to him. Likewise, the man
now can speak clearly. No talking
over. No confusion. No misunderstanding about who Jesus is and
what he did for the man. As always, our
Lord is a “man of his word,” the divine command, and what he says happens.
Using Jesus own original
Aramaic word, Ephphatha, , Mark notes
how our Lord takes command of the situation:
“Be opened.” Again, not being able to hear Jesus’ emphasis
or tone of voice, I think it safe to say he spoke that word with force and
conviction. Mark states that Jesus “groaned.” From the depth of his gut as it were, he
commanded the power of the physical disability to release itself. It is no wonder that people were astonished.
Although Jesus ordered him to keep this quiet, filled with joy
the man was unable to contain himself and proclaimed what God had done for him.
The story fulfills what Isaiah the prophet writes in our first reading about
the signs of the Messiah: “Then will the
eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; . . .” (Is 35
4-7). Jesus reputation as a wonder
worker spread like wild fire. So what can we learn from this about our own
deafness? We are invited to see ourselves in the miracle stories of Jesus and
make important applications to our lives.
There is more to hear.
We could be lost in the details, as often the crowds did, and be deaf to
the central purpose of what Jesus did for this man and for many others. He brought them to faith. A miracle is not an end in itself. As wonderful as his healings were, the lives
of those Jesus touched were forever changed. They could not contain their
gratitude, they became Jesus’ followers, or they changed their life to a better
path. But, we are always given the choice.
Haven’t we too been touched by God? Our faith did not come to
us in a vacuum but was passed on by others. Think of the many today who simply
are unaware of the power of the scriptures to change our lives. Those who never attend Mass, receive the grace of the sacraments or experience their connection with a faith community, yet were raised
in the life of the Church. Rather than
cast blame for the reasons why, it might be time for us to check our own
example to them and to share the joy and beauty of our Catholic faith. Aren’t
we too invited to “hear” his word both in the scriptures and in the events
around us? Yet, how deaf we can be at times.
We hear a great deal these days about the changing culture of
America and the millions of immigrants and refugees in this country. No doubt,
this problem poses many other challenges to the economy, to housing, jobs,
safety and all the other neuralgic issues touted in our present government and
political discussions.
But in the end, what do we hear? St. James in our second reading reminds us
that the lives of Christians cannot have two standards: one for the rich and
another for the poor. James reminds us to have no “partiality” and to not make
“distinctions among yourselves” that create a separation and that would isolate
one community from another. It’s tough
to live this way but we cannot forget that when we deal with such human issues,
it is human beings which are at stake.
As Jesus reached across the social lines of his time, and responded with
the higher value of human compassion, we too have to constantly remind
ourselves that God is not partial to people and neither can we.
Are we able to hear and be conscious of the many needs around
us? To feed the hungry, give drink to
the thirsty, clothe the naked is not an optional choice or something we do
because it soothes a guilty conscience or makes me feel good. Our purpose as Christians, rooted in our baptism,
is to carry on the same mission which Jesus brought. We have to constantly fight against our
tendency to judge based merely on outward appearances. James makes that clear in our second reading
when he speaks of behavior which responds to another person’s clothing and
social status.
The moral value which drives everything is love for our
neighbor. So it’s always our task to create a society and a community of faith
where this equality can be clearly seen.
Among the many values of parish life is that of welcome and hospitality. Do we hear the cry of those who may feel
estranged, lonely, judged, hungry or in any human need? What sort of programs and priorities do we
see in our parish bulletins? Do we feed
the hungry, shelter the homeless, invite others and welcome those are on the
margins of life? Is this a gathering
where people feel they can be fed both spiritually and find comfort and support
from a loving community which truly cares about their neighbor. And the best place to begin is right at home
where we can find Christ where we are at and to serve him there.
There is no more diverse gathering than our weekend
liturgies. Jesus commanded the
disability to release its’ hold on the man when he stated: “Be opened.” We must open ourselves to hear God’s Word
proclaimed, take the time to let it touch us in our need for conversion, and
then open ourselves to Jesus presence in his Body and Blood. The social justice and moral implications we
are presented with in every Eucharistic gathering are many.
Grant that your faithful, O Lord,
whom you nourish and endow with life
through the food of your Word and heavenly Sacrament,
may so benefit from your beloved Son's great gifts
that we may merit an eternal share in his life.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
(Prayer after Communion)
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