Sep 4, 2021

23rd Sunday: The Lord sets captives free

 


Mark 7:31-37

Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090521.cfm


Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where the other person so wanted to drive their point home, that no matter how hard you tried they would be constantly talking over you? You might even say to yourself: "You haven't heard a word I said!"

I think the climate of these days is rich with these examples between politicians, news broadcasters, and some medical experts especially on social media platforms. Today what makes the most immediate impressions are what is called optics.  So, it’s not only what we hear but maybe more what we see that forms our opinions and choices.  Yet, only through careful listening can we discern the best direction and the best choice.

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 readings all point to the power of God in Christ as the Divine physician.

Our tender 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. So, most likely this man was not a Jew. It appeared to be his second visit among this population, having worked an exorcism in their region in the past (Lk 8: 26-39).

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.” He utters the divine command and what he says happens. God's word always brings about a result most especially in Christ. His Aramaic word, the language of Jesus, “Ephphatha” (Be opened) as preserved in the Gospel text is spoken and the man’s hearing is restored.

Mark notes how our Lord takes command of the situation. 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. Often such a disability was acquainted with a sinful life and a sign of demon possession.  Jesus commands the “demon” to leave and so it does.

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. Imagine that you are the deaf man.

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, health 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 be such.

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, to merely external appearance.  

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. We are sent forth to hear, to speak and to see the signs of God’s presence in our world and in the needs of others calling for our attention.

 

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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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