He looked up to heaven
and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!”
(that is “Be opened!”).
(Mark 7:34)
Jesus' act of healing reflects His love and care for humanity. He values individual attention and care. Like Jesus, we should offer personal support and focus on the unique needs of each person we encounter, showing compassion and extending help to those in need.
There are tangible ways in which God's grace can be experienced. Physical actions are important in expressing care and bringing about healing. We should recognize and praise the wonderful works of God in our lives and be grateful to share our testimonies of God's goodness. Let us remain obedient and humble in following Jesus' instructions.
With eyes to heaven, He did groan,
A plea for one so deeply known.
He touched the ears, the tongue, with grace,
In sacred quiet, a holy space.
"Ephphatha!" His voice did cry,
"Be opened," under the sky.
And in that moment, pure and true,
The deaf could hear, the mute, they knew.
For in His touch, a miracle,
The broken healed, a heart made full.
His mercy's light, a beacon shown,
In faith and love, His power known.
Lord Jesus,
You looked up to heaven and groaned, and with a single word, You healed and atoned. "Ephphatha," You said, "Be opened!" and light shone, In Your presence, our fears and doubts are overthrown.
We come to You, with hearts open wide, seeking Your grace, with You as our guide. Open our ears to hear Your voice so clear, and our tongues to speak Your love, ever dear.
May Your healing touch transform our lives, In Your presence, our faith revives. Help us to be vessels of Your light, In Your mercy, we find our might.
Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Mystery of Jesus
THE HEALING OF DEAF MAN
Mark 7:31-37
Gospel Acclamation
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.
Gospel | Mark 7:31-37
31 Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. 32 And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; 34 then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) 35 And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 36 He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. 37 They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
