Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 9th September

Mark 7:31–37

Then Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of
Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had
an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He
took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his
ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed
and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears
were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered
them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they
proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done
everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

 

Reflection

•         
Do I allow Jesus to initiate a new age in my suffering
of isolation and exclusion?

•      Would
I be willing to unblock my
ears that I may listen to God’s word?