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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