FRIDAY 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME GOSPEL COMMENTARY:
THE CURING OF A DEAF MAN (Mk 7:31–37).
Friday, 5th week of Ordinary Time
Mk 7:31–37
THE CURING OF A DEAF MAN
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 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.”
- 32-33 Sacred Scripture quite often shows the laying on of hands as a gesture indicating the transfer of power or blessing (cf. Gen 48:l4ff 2 Kings 5:11; Lk 13:13). Everyone knows that saliva can help sooth minor cuts. In the language of Revelation fingers symbolized powerful divine action (cf. Ex 8:19; Ps 8:4; Lk 11:20). So Jesus uses signs which suit in some way the effect he wants to achieve, though we can see from the text that the effect — the instanteous cure of the deaf and dumb man — far exceeds the sign used.
- In the miracle of the deaf and dumb man we can see a symbol of the way God acts on souls: for us to believe, God must first open our heart so we can listen to his word. Then, like the Apostles, we too can proclaim the magnalia Dei, the mighty works of God (cf. Acts 2:11).
- In the Church’s liturgy (cf. the hymn Veni Creator) the Holy Spirit is compared to the finger of the right hand of God the Father (Digitus paternae dexterae). The Consoler produces in our souls, in the supernatural order, effects comparable to those which Christ produces in the body of the deaf and dumb man.
PERSONAL CONSIDERATION
- The healing of the sick is one of the signs of the arrival of the Messiah. If we are to receive and follow Our Lord Jesus Christ and Savior, we need to live the virtues of sincerity and docility.
- Sincerity to overcome the dumb devil who always tempts us to twist the truth, justify our faults, and choke our throat, and tie our tongue to ask for the necessary spiritual help, thus making us incapable of humility, conversion, reparation, and reconciliation with God.
- Docility, to listen to God’s inspirations which we hear in our conscience and from His divine instruments, and putting them into practice so as to advance in this path towards holiness and love of God.
Let us ask God, through the intercession of Mary, our Mother, to grant us the grace to live our divine calling with sincerity and docility without being afraid of the Truth which sets us free.
A great day ahead! Stay safe and God bless. Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: DO YOU NEED A RENEWAL COMMUNITY TO BRING YOU TO HEAVEN?
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus continues to preach in Gentile or pagan territory. A deaf and dumb man was brought by the community in Sidon to Him to be healed. (v 33-35) “He put his finger into the man’s ears 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.”Let us reflect on three things:
1. We need a community to help us grow in holiness
2. We learn to be the channels of hope in community
3. We must spend time with God in prayer.
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