Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 ear and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he 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.”

Reflection

We are called to reflect on the healing of the man with a speech impediment and hearing loss. It strikes me, too, that we are also called to consider those who brought the man to Jesus. They were his relatives, neighbors and friends. They had heard about the healing of Jesus and cared enough about the man to bring him to Jesus. That’s not all though. What about the faith of these people? They trusted that Jesus would heal their friend. Perhaps it’s time for us to evaluate where we stand in our faith journey.

Action

Remember this week those you know who are ill or with disabilities. How can you help the family or friend in their time of need and recuperation? And then, consider your faith and how the prayers you offer for them will aid in their healing.