"EPHPHETHA : BE OPENED"
First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a
Second Reading: James 2: 1-5
Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 31-37
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage the Prophet speaks about the future changes that will take place by the power of the Lord God. He assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will save His people. He tells them that the blind, the deaf, the lame and the dumb will be healed by the power of the Lord God.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. James. In this passage, the Apostle exhorts the members of the Christian community not to be partial to anyone because they are rich or poor. He reminds us that earthly wealth or high position are no criterion for distinction in the community. All are equal before God.
"He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. This passage describes in detail how Jesus healed a deaf and dumb man. During His public ministry, Jesus healed many people. Thus the prophecy of Isaiah found its fulfillment in Jesus. In the Gospel a deaf and dumb man was brought to Jesus so that He may heal him. Jesus took him aside to a secluded place and put His finger into the man's ears. Then Jesus spat and touched his tongue. Later Jesus commanded "Ephphetha" which means, be opened. Immediately the deaf and dumb man was healed and he was able to hear clearly and speak fluently.
Hearing and speech are gifts of God. Jesus felt compassion for the man who had lacked these gifts. By His words Jesus restored those lost faculties and made him whole. Now it is our turn to realize that Jesus is able to restore all our lost powers, unused and unrecognized talents once we put our trust in the Lord. The touch of our divine Master continues to transform our lives.
"At our own baptism, we were all touched on the ear and the mouth. In this way, we are in the story and are invited to see ourselves in the man who was cured" - Biblical resources.
"I alone cannot do anything. Jesus alone will not do anything. Jesus and I do everything" - St. Teresa of Avila.
First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a
Second Reading: James 2: 1-5
Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 31-37
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage the Prophet speaks about the future changes that will take place by the power of the Lord God. He assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will save His people. He tells them that the blind, the deaf, the lame and the dumb will be healed by the power of the Lord God.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. James. In this passage, the Apostle exhorts the members of the Christian community not to be partial to anyone because they are rich or poor. He reminds us that earthly wealth or high position are no criterion for distinction in the community. All are equal before God.
"He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. This passage describes in detail how Jesus healed a deaf and dumb man. During His public ministry, Jesus healed many people. Thus the prophecy of Isaiah found its fulfillment in Jesus. In the Gospel a deaf and dumb man was brought to Jesus so that He may heal him. Jesus took him aside to a secluded place and put His finger into the man's ears. Then Jesus spat and touched his tongue. Later Jesus commanded "Ephphetha" which means, be opened. Immediately the deaf and dumb man was healed and he was able to hear clearly and speak fluently.
Hearing and speech are gifts of God. Jesus felt compassion for the man who had lacked these gifts. By His words Jesus restored those lost faculties and made him whole. Now it is our turn to realize that Jesus is able to restore all our lost powers, unused and unrecognized talents once we put our trust in the Lord. The touch of our divine Master continues to transform our lives.
"At our own baptism, we were all touched on the ear and the mouth. In this way, we are in the story and are invited to see ourselves in the man who was cured" - Biblical resources.
"I alone cannot do anything. Jesus alone will not do anything. Jesus and I do everything" - St. Teresa of Avila.
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