"Ephphatha"

"Ephphatha" said Jesus to the deaf man. The actions that Jesus takes with the man when he is brought to him are puzzling for the observing crowds.  What power does he seem to have? Spitting, touching his tongue which I interpret as touching his tongue to clean his finger and pronouncing "Ephphatha!" thus curing the man.  What is the meaning of this?  For the crowd the man is cured from being deaf and mute. However, for us there can be a deeper interpretation.

Putting one's finger in the ear results in plugging up the ear canal resulting in poor hearing. Pulling them out brings in the sounds from our surroundings.  Upon closer reflection does one see that this miracle is twofold. Yes the man is cured from physical deafness, but also spiritually.

Many of us have had encounters with pain and suffering whether it be individually or those close to us.  We want immediate cures from these afflictions, but the question looms are we opened to what God has in store for us.  Are we really opened when asking for the suffering to be lifted?  One word resonates here - the word surrender. A word misunderstood for weakness by many, but within religious and recovery circles a word that simply means giving up the right to dictate what we want to God and letting Him do the rest.

Jesus instructs those watching his actions to not tell anyone, but I am sure that once we surrender to the will of God during difficulties and then have the burdens removed Jesus wants us to proclaim his power and goodness. We become like the today's first reading from Isaiah 35:4-7 in which the lame leap like a stag, the mute sing, the streams burst forth in the desert, etc. Let us be opened to the wonderful healing hand of Jesus in whatever difficulties we encounter, but let us then praise the Lord and recount his wonders (Psalm 9). "Ephphata!"

Proclaiming the Gospel Like John the Baptist

Reflecting on this morning's intercession in the Magnificat the last line of the prayer states, "For those tempted to abandon the Gospel when it is inconvenient: - grant them strength in their faith.  Reading and pondering on the sacrifice that John the Baptist made is in itself inconvenient.  "He must increase, but I must decrease," states John.  Pretty heavy words in our society of cultural relativism and self-gratification.

A constant struggle in my life has been how I can increase without much thought for where Jesus can make inroads to guide me.  Timothy says "be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient' (2 Tm 4:2). Throughout my daily interactions with others I am fairly adept at preserving my image, but equally careful not to proclaim my faith too strongly as not to others.  However, cautiously I have opened up to others about my adherence to Church teachings and when doing so I find that there is a common bond even with my Protestant brothers and sisters. Perhaps this where I decrease leaving my fear of what others may think of me and my holding on to perseverance of self.

This being said it is not easy to proclaim one's faith in our society. I fear that at times by doing so I may be abandon by people who have known me for years. Controversial topics abound and the lack of tolerance for those who proclaim the Truth from Scripture is evident in homes, the workplace and especially in social media.  However, letting Jesus increase even when the temptation to abandon the Gospel requires a leap of faith.  My prayer for today is:

"O my God who is by side at all times, grant me the ability to faithfully proclaim your Truth even when it is inconvenient or when I want to hide my beliefs. Grant me the courage of your servant John the Baptist speak out to wrongdoings and injustice not for my glory but for your kingdom and glory. Amen

Harsh Words and a Challenge

It is easy to read the bible as a story and skip the sections that make one uncomfortable.  Today's Gospel passage is one of those that can be overlooked in its application. I have heard Matthew's verse for many years, but never really thought that indeed Jesus may be talking to me.  It was just another passage in which Jesus was pointing to those who were in power their hypocrisy.  There the word. No one wants be called a hypocrite.  The dictionary provides a couple of definitions: 1. a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess; 2. a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.

So if I am in the crowd that Jesus addressed what am I thinking? Do I act as if I am on a high moral ground or do I seek public approval according an attitude to gain platitudes? Upon examination I can find these faults fairly easily in myself.  In our media saturated society reading or watching the news I am forever condemning those who fall mightily. I may appear like a whitewashed tomb borrowing Matthew's words, but my inner thoughts and at times my words indicate otherwise.  So where is the relief?

For me the passage is a challenge. In today's Psalm the response is, "You have searched me and you know me, Lord." Yes the Lord knows me.  As the psalmist continues "if I sink to the nether world, you are present there" and again "If I say, "surely the darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light." Jesus is there with me wherever I go.  All I must do is recognize that and clean my cup of my soul daily and be renewed.

Back again to the me standing in the crowd Jesus is addressing. I cringe at the harsh words because He is addressing me, but I take relief because I the voice is calling me.

Can I Pass?

Reflecting on the readings today I see Gideon and Peter expressing doubt about what is being asked of them. Gideon from a lowly family is asked to lead Israel over Midian whereas Peter is asking Jesus what is in this journey for us if we have gave up everything already. In our society planning out one's future is considered wise and many look upon those who have such plans such as "I will go to college obtain my degree and then go to grad school and become a doctor,"  as intelligent and goal driven. I once aspired to greater things as well, but God had other plans for me.  Don't get me wrong planning is a necessary part of life.  But when plans forget the will of God the obsession of money, power and prestige take over only leading one further from God's intended purpose for us.

Who then can pass through the eye of the needle? Have I really surrendered everything? Think of passing through the eye of the needle.  There is no room for extra baggage as it will prevent one from squeezing through.  Has the obsession for the afore mentioned vices hindered the passing? What else am I hanging on to? Resentment, anger, sloth? Each one of these prevents me from being in full union with God and others so I my as well discard them. If I struggle with this then I can ask God to help me for I wish to pass.

Mary in My Life

                                                                 The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Gerard David

For the last few days I have been contemplating my relationship with Mary, especially since today is the Feast of the Assumption.  What role does she have in my life? Do I truly seek her as an intercessor? Having been catechised in my early childhood but not quite understanding the purpose at the time or the theology I find myself deficit in many areas of the faith.  Understanding Mary is one of them.

Yes I have prayed the rosary on occasions and now understand the purpose, but I still feel as though I don't have the right relationship with Mary.  Although my knowledge of the faith and Mary's role as a mother is more developed as I devote an increasing time to re-educating myself as a Catholic something seems to be missing.

Perhaps I need to better understand the sacrifices Mary made as she raised her son or even before that as she is told of the impending birth of Jesus. For me my journey to understand our Blessed Mother begins with a reflection today as I pray the Hail Mary.  From this point I endeavor to have a better relationship with Mary.

Jesus and Healing

I am sure every individual who prays has asked for immediate healing of some sort for either themselves or a loved one.  It is only human nature.  As I reflected on the gospel reading today I could not help of thinking of the many times that I wanted immediate responses to my prayer as Jarius pleaded.  However, his plea was one of faith knowing of Jesus and his recent ministry.  But what about the woman along the way to the residence of Jarius?  She had endured suffering for twelve years and had sought medical attention for an equal amount of time losing her own money during this trial.  Her hardship parallels the suffering of many who endure countless amounts of money and time seeking cures for maladies and diseases.  What can we learn from her?

I harken back to my original statement about asking for healing and immediacy of results.  This woman demonstrated faith.  Just touching Jesus' cloak was enough for her.  “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”  Her faith resonates with Paul's acclamation in 2 Timothy 4:7 in which he states "I have kept the faith" knowing that his life was coming to an end.  The woman having endured suffering but having faith even despite the failings of medical professionals somehow knows that Jesus is the answer.  Knowing this I can take a page from this passage and apply it to my life when I want answers to my prayers or my daily trials and tribulations. Faith endures.  The message is clear this past week when reflecting on Abraham's faith journey in Genesis. Abraham is blessed with a child despite Sara's barrenness and his age. All things are possible with God and through Jesus.

Fear and Pentecost

Hiding in the house for the fear of what might become of them Jesus' followers were suddenly overcome by Holy Spirit. What they then go on to do through discipleship is build the Church. Pope Francis in his "Joy of the Gospel" encourages us to fully arm ourselves before we go into battle.  Otherwise lacking confidence we are destined to defeat.  Much like our brothers and sisters of old we are faced with a skeptical and cynical world which decries the teachings of Jesus and the Church.  Are we to remain in our houses for fear of what others might think of us if we do proclaim the Gospel?  Are we to appear under the influence as some described in Acts, "they have had too much wine," and then use that very fear of being judged as a deterrent of what we are being called to do.

Pope Francis calls upon the word of St. Paul "My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness" in the Joy of the Gospel.  He implores us not to take upon the spirit of defeatism.  Although not under the persecution suffered by others in nations in which Christians come under the threat of death for religious practices, we in our nation have become mired in a malaise that can be just as deadly.  I am very much guilty of this in many areas of my life whether at home at or at work. I tend to sanitize my beliefs instead of taking to the road as the early Christians did.  One of my favorite Christian musicians Ike Ndolo sings in his song "At the Sound" in the first line "We will stand for you." What is preventing me from doing this. Saint Francis said, "Preach the Gospel and when necessary use words." Is it the fear of words that I may use? It is the fear of rejection for my beliefs and my convictions no matter what the cost? It is how this may affect my reputation? For me it is all of these. Maybe looking at the words of St. Francis and preaching by my actions is the easier route? Following Jesus and proclaiming the Gospel is not easy in this day and age.  Realizing that I cannot do this on my own and calling on the Holy Spirit is the key. Surrendering my will and my ego brings me in communion with will of God and then, and only then am I ready to step out.