Gospel
Mark 7:31-37
Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he l looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Sermon
My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with a remarkable story of healing and transformation. A deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to Jesus, and Jesus takes him aside, away from the crowd. He performs a series of unusual actions, putting his finger into the man's ears, spitting, and touching his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, Jesus says, "Ephphatha!" or "Be opened!" And immediately, the man's ears are opened, his speech impediment is removed, and he speaks plainly.
This story is not just about physical healing, but about spiritual transformation. Jesus is not just restoring the man's physical abilities, but also opening him up to a new world of possibilities and relationships.
The phrase "Ephphatha!" or "Be opened!" is a powerful one. It's a call to openness, to receptivity, to a willingness to receive and respond to God's presence and action in our lives.
As we reflect on this story, we are challenged to consider our own openness to God's presence and action in our lives. Are we willing to be opened up to new experiences, new relationships, and new possibilities? Or are we closed off, stuck in our own ways of thinking and being?
May we be like the deaf man, willing to be opened up to God's transformative power. May we be willing to let go of our own limitations and receive the gift of new life and new possibilities.
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Prayer
Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty, merciful, and loving God, we come before you, reflecting on the story of the deaf man who was healed by Jesus. We ask for the gift of openness, that we may be receptive to your presence and action in our lives.
Help us to let go of our own limitations and receive the gift of new life and new possibilities.
Forgive us for being closed off and stuck in our own ways of thinking and being.
Give us the courage to be like the deaf man, willing to be opened up to your transformative power.
May we be willing to receive and respond to your presence and action in our lives, and may we be transformed by your love and grace.
We pray for the Church, that we may be a community of people who are open to your transformative power and willing to receive the gift of new life and new possibilities.
In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.
Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ