Be Opened

Mark 7: 31-37

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

³¹ Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. ³² There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

³³ After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴ He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). ³⁵ At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

³⁶ Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. ³⁷ People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Can we imagine the joy of this deaf and mute man when miraculously he could hear and speak as well as the amazement of the crowds who witnessed this? A real cause for joy and celebration!  How could they keep silent about it?

Is our faith at the point where we can bring our needs trustingly to God for an answer, a resolution, be they physical or spiritual needs? As we pray over this incident, may our faith deepen and open us to the cure that only Jesus can give us.

Bro. Rene

Lord Jesus: The people begged you to heal the deaf man with a speech impediment. At your touch and your word, he heard and he spoke plainly. In your compassion, Lord Jesus, help me to hear your word and to speak it with conviction. Amen.

 Rev. Jim Lackenmier, C.S.C.