Ephphatha

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Ephphatha

Be   Opened

Choose    Fear   Not

Lord Sets Captives Free

Justice

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Mark 7:33 to 35

Jesus took the deaf man who had a speech impediment off by himself and apart from the crowd. Jesus put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue.

Jesus looked up to heaven and cried out. He then said to the man "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!").

The man's ears opened immediately, and his speech impediment disappeared. He spoke clearly.

James 2:5

Pay attention my dear friends. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God prepares for those who love the Holy One?

Isaiah 35:4

The Lord says: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God.

Psalm 146:6 and 7

The God of Jacob always keeps faith and secures justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free.

Reflection

In our reading from Mark, Jesus performs an amazing miracle. He heals a man who is deaf and who has a speech impediment in an unusual way. He is very physical in this healing. He uses his fingers and some spittle and a loud groan to accomplish this wonder. You get the impression that this was not easy for Jesus. 

Jesus then says, "Ephphatha". He prays that this man's ears will be opened. As we see this miracle take place, we reflect on our own need to be open to the message that Jesus wants to share with us. Jesus has come as a healer. We can bring our needs to Him if we also are open to trusting in what He can accomplish in our lives.

James reminds us that openness (Ephphatha) is not connected to our bank account. God chooses us and we are called to respond. It is never based on how much money we have. It is all about our faith and our trust in God. 

God has chosen us to be part of the Kingdom of God. If we love God, we are heirs of the great feast that God is preparing. 

What are the obstacles that we face to truly loving God? Isaiah points out that it is our fear that can cripple us. We can feel that we are not worthy of God's Love. We can feel alone. We need to be strong and to trust that God will always be with us to help us overcome those moments of fear and doubt which come to everyone.

The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 146 that when we are captive to those fears which will come, the Lord will set us free. God knows that we need the healing that the man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking asked from Jesus. 

Jesus wants us to be opened to the grace that He wants to give us. God wants to bring justice to those who are oppressed. The Lord hears the cry of those who are hungry and in need and works through us to help others, to lift them up, to heal them. 

We have to be open (Ephphatha) to the power of God working through all of us. The seemingly little acts of love we do for others each day will bring hope, kindness, and justice to our sisters and brothers.

Are you open?

1. Are you open to the message that Jesus wants to share with you?

2. How important is money in responding to God's choice of us?

3. What are some of the obstacles that you face to accepting God's Love?

4. What fears have held you captive?

5. How can we bring justice to the oppressed today?

6. What do you see as you meditate on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)