FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 12, 2021
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 7:31-37
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.”
REFLECTION: "He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Jesus comes back to the Decapolis (ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire) after healing the demoniac. He had been told to depart after the great economic loss of 2000 swine who charged over the cliff and drowned. (Mark 5:17)
Jesus literally walked 120 miles to go back there. This time we see a different attitude by the people --they brought Him a deaf and mute man in need of healing.
After Jesus left the first time, the people had time to reflect and understand that Jesus had changed the demoniac's life. The spiritual, mental and physical well being of one person was very important.
Decapolis was a pagan Greek area of ten cities. They had many pagan gods. This area gradually became christian/catholic.
In evangelizing don't be afraid to come back after no response with our first attempt. Recall--
Jesus left when told to leave. He did not impose Himself.
People brought the deaf man to Jesus. We have to go to Jesus with our problems. He is always there and waiting for us.
We need time alone with Jesus, away from the chaos and the crowd. Jesus took the deaf and mute man off to Himself away from the crowd. Our quiet moments with Jesus are the most important times of the day. It is during these times Jesus shows us our flaws, enlightens our darkness and changes our despair into hope.
Jesus touches our ears to receive His word and our mouths to proclaim His word.
God Bless You
