Mystery of the day: Luminous
Celebration: Ferial
📖Table of the Word
First Reading: 1 Kings 11:29–32; 12:19
Gospel: Mark 7:31–37
Theme: Ephphatha – Be Opened!
REFLECTION
Teaching and healing were central to Christ’s public ministry, here He heals physical and spiritual infirmities and teaches the way to true conversion.
In our reflection today, we will ponder on one of these aspects of his public ministry - healing as reported by Evangelist Mark 7:31–37.
Today's Gospel presents one of the most tender gestures of Jesus. A man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking is brought to Him. Jesus takes him aside, touches his ears and tongue, looks up to heaven, sighs, and says: “Ephphatha” - Be opened.
Immediately, the man hears and speaks clearly. This miracle is not only about physical healing. It is about the opening of the human heart.
This act can be seen manifesting itself in today's first reading (cf. 1 Kings 11:29–32; 12:19), where Solomon’s heart turns away from the Lord. Because of infidelity, the same way we find ourselves sometimes. For Solomon, the kingdom will be divided. The tragedy did not begin with political rebellion; it began with spiritual deafness.
When the heart stops listening to God, division follows in the soul, in relationships, in communities.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, in our day-to-day living experience how do we experience God in our lives? It is obvious that sometimes we may be physically present but with a closed heart and ear to the Word, thus becoming dumb to proclaim the Word. That is to say, we heard the words, but do not listen. We speak about God, but do not speak from within.
However, we need to be healed, and most often the healing of this manner takes place in silence in the course of our closed conversation with God.
As in the case of the man with these impairments.
Jesus takes the man away from the crowd, as true healing happens in intimacy. Before the mission comes the encounter. Before preaching comes listening. Perhaps this Friday is an invitation to step aside:
- Away from noise.
- Away from applause.
- Away from ministry bbusy schedule.
- Away from internal anxieties.
And allow Jesus to touch the areas where we are spiritually deaf or mute.
Still on this, Mark tells us that Jesus sighed before healing him. That sigh carries divine compassion. It is the groaning of God over human brokenness, the same longing that echoes in Romans 8:26 where the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
Christ still sighs over:
- Hardened hearts
- Broken families
- Divided nations
- Weary ministers and silent vocations.
But His sigh is not despair, it is restorative love.
Dearest in Christ, as we behold the dawn of this day, the beginning of the weekend let us therefore hold tenaciously to Him in faith to be healed of our infirmities. This proclamation: "Ephphatha – Be Opened!" is addressed to us, that our ears may be opened to hear the Word, our hearts ready to receive it and our lips to proclaim these wonderful words wherever man is found.
Peace, be with you!
© ARCHIVE 13022026
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