REFLECTION

Gospel

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.”                                                                                      Mark 7:31-37

Reflection

Many of the incidents recorded about Jesus for posterity are about healing. He had a reputation as a healer. People flocked to him as they do today to healers because they need him. We know from the weakness of our bodies and the fragility of our hearts that we need God. Prayer is the time we come in need of God knowing that he always gives strength of mind, body or soul when we place ourselves in God's loving presence.There are several instances in Mark's Gospel where Jesus commands people to be silent about his identity. The reason could well have had to do with the political situation in Jesus' day. The Messiah expected by the Jews was a political/military as well as religious figure, so Jesus was probably unwilling to use such a title, at least without some qualifications, to avoid provoking the Roman authorities.  Jesus wants to take the man aside and asks him to keep his healing to himself. I pray for the wisdom that I may need to know when to speak and when to rest quietly with Jesus.

Julie Leonard Religious Education Leader/Wellbeing Leader