Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we gather to reflect on the Word of God, celebrating not only the richness of the Scriptures but also the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, Mary. The day of the Lord always takes precedence over any feast of a saint, but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention our precious Mother today, whose birth is a celebration of supernatural life for all of us. This dual celebration invites us to delve deeper into how God’s miracles, His messages, and His chosen ones shape our understanding of faith, community, and the mission we are called to undertake.
The readings we heard today, particularly the Gospel of Mark, recount a profound miracle of healing where Jesus opens the ears of a deaf man and loosens his tongue, allowing him to speak plainly. This account is a moving testament to Christ's compassion and His power to restore. The historicity of this miracle is essential; it shows us that Jesus was present among the people, demonstrating God's love and mercy in tangible ways. In that particular moment, Jesus not only healed a deaf man but also touched the hearts of all who witnessed this event. The geographical context—the Decapolis, a region known for its Gentile population—reminds us that Jesus' mission extended beyond the Jewish communities. His act of healing breaks down barriers, inviting all people into communion with God.
Symbolically, this miracle transcends its immediate historical context. The deaf man's inability to hear represents a broader spiritual blindness and deafness that many of us experience. Just as he was unable to hear the Word of God, sometimes we, too, struggle to listen to God’s voice amid the noise of our lives. Jesus' command, “Ephphatha!—Be opened!” is a call for us to open our ears and hearts to the truth of God’s message.
In Isaiah’s prophetic words, we hear a promise of hope: “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” God promises to come and save us, opening our eyes, unsealing our ears, and loosening our tongues. This imagery is not mere metaphor but a profound reminder that when we allow ourselves to be open to God's Word, we are transformed. We are called to listen and then proclaim what we have heard to others.
This brings us to our second reading from James, where we are reminded of the importance of genuine faith in action. The call to reject partiality is essential in our witness to the world. God has chosen the poor, and we, like the early Christians, must ensure that all are welcomed into the fold, regardless of their status. Listening and proclaiming goes beyond personal transformation; it shifts our perspective towards all those who are suffering. Each of us is called to speak up for those who are marginalized, to acknowledge their voice, and to foster a community that reflects Christ’s love.
As we celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary today, we are reminded that she is the ultimate example of openness to God's Word. From her "yes" at the Annunciation to her steadfast presence at the foot of the Cross, Mary listened deeply to God's call and proclaimed His greatness through her entire life. In her humility, she teaches us to listen and to serve. Through her intercession, may we, too, strive to embrace Jesus’ command of “Ephphatha!” The very foundation of our faith and calling is rooted in both hearing God's Word and proclaiming it.
Let us take a moment to reflect: Are our ears open to hear God's message in our lives? Are our tongues ready to proclaim His love and mercy to others? As we honor Mary today, may she inspire us to be vessels of grace in a world that often struggles to listen, speaks too quickly without kindness, and forgets the marginalized.
May the grace of our Lord be with us as we embark on this mission together, sharing the good news that "He has done all things well." Amen.
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