Then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!”—that is, “Be opened!”
(Mark 7:34)
Jesus uses physical actions—touching the man’s ears and tongue—to perform the healing. This emphasizes the tangible and personal nature of Jesus’ ministry. It encourages us to be hands-on in our service to others, offering practical help and support. His methods, even though they might have seemed unusual, teaches us to trust in God’s ways and timing, even when we don’t fully understand them. By performing this miracle in a Gentile region, it highlights the inclusivity of His ministry. This encourages us to reach out beyond our own communities and comfort zones, sharing God’s love with everyone. Our own experiences of God’s work in our lives can be a powerful witness to others.
31 Again 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.” (Mark 7:31-37)
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for the tangible and personal nature of Your ministry, where You touched the ears and tongue of the man to bring healing. Help us to follow Your example, being hands-on in our service to others, offering practical help and support with love and compassion. Teach us to trust in Your ways and timing, even when they seem unusual or beyond our understanding. May we always remember that Your methods are perfect and Your plans are for our good. As You performed miracles in Gentile regions, remind us of the inclusivity of Your love. Encourage us to reach beyond our own communities and comfort zones, sharing Your grace and mercy with everyone we encounter. Lord, may our own experiences of Your work in our lives be a powerful witness to others. Let our lives reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
God is with us who is in control and has a plan for our lives. He is aware of our struggles and will provide comfort and the strength we need to persevere. He will come with vengeance and divine retribution to save us. In moments of fear or doubt, and even when we face challenges and uncertainties, we should trust that He will intervene at the right time. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, God can bring about change. He can bring new opportunities and blessings and even turn barren places into fertile and life-sustaining environments. Let us believe in the possibility of transformation and healing, renewal and growth in our own life.
4 Thus says the Lord: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; 6 then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. 7 The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water. (Isaiah 35:4-7)
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging Your sovereignty and control over our lives. You have a divine plan for each of us, and we trust in Your wisdom and timing. You are aware of our struggles, and we seek Your comfort and strength to persevere through every trial. Lord, we believe in Your promise to come with vengeance and divine retribution to save us. In moments of fear and doubt, and amidst the challenges and uncertainties we face, help us to trust that You will intervene at the right time. We ask for Your healing touch, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Bring about change in our lives, opening new doors of opportunity and showering us with blessings. Turn our barren places into fertile, life-sustaining environments. Father, instill in us a deep belief in the possibility of transformation and healing. May we experience renewal and growth, reflecting Your love and grace in all we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
God is compassionate and actively involved in helping the vulnerable. He is a just provider who cares for the oppressed and the hungry. We can find comfort in God’s fairness and provision, especially during difficult times. It encourages us to also act justly and provide for those in need around us. Emulating God’s compassion in our own lives, we should be attentive to the needs of others, offering support, and showing love and kindness to those who are marginalized or in distress. Let us place our ultimate trust in God, knowing that His sovereignty and care are constant, regardless of the changing circumstances around us.
7 The God of Jacob keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives good to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. (R) 8 The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord raises up those that were bowed down; the Lord loves the just; 9 The Lord protects strangers. (R) The fatherless and the widow the Lord sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. (Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10)
Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging Your boundless compassion and active involvement in our lives. You are a just provider, caring deeply for the oppressed and the hungry. In Your fairness and provision, we find comfort, especially during our most challenging times. Lord, inspire us to act justly and to provide for those in need around us. Help us to emulate Your compassion in our daily lives, being attentive to the needs of others. May we offer support, love, and kindness to those who are marginalized or in distress. Teach us to place our ultimate trust in You, knowing that Your sovereignty and care are constant, regardless of the changing circumstances around us. Guide us to live out Your love and justice, reflecting Your heart in all we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
All people are valuable in God’s eyes. We should show no partiality based on external appearances, such as wealth or social status but instead treat everyone with equal respect and dignity, reflecting God’s impartial love. Our actions should mirror God’s values of love, equality, and justice. By avoiding favoritism, we align ourselves with God’s heart and demonstrate His love to others. Let us see beyond material wealth, treat others as God would without prejudice or discrimination, and recognize the spiritual richness and potential in every individual. This strengthens our witness and builds a more inclusive and loving community.
1 My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? (James 2:1-5)
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging that all people are valuable in Your eyes. Help us to show no partiality based on external appearances, such as wealth or social status. Instead, guide us to treat everyone with equal respect and dignity, reflecting Your impartial love. May our actions mirror Your values of love, equality, and justice. Teach us to avoid favoritism, aligning ourselves with Your heart and demonstrating Your love to others. Help us to see beyond material wealth and treat others as You would, without prejudice or discrimination. Grant us the wisdom to recognize the spiritual richness and potential in every individual. Strengthen our witness and build a more inclusive and loving community through our actions and words. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Mystery of Jesus
THE HEALING OF DEAF MAN
Mark 7:31-37
Related Blogs:
https://guidingthoughtsandinspirations.blogspot.com/2024/09/healing-touch.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/09/prayer-for-healing.html
First Reading
VI: The Lord, Zion's Avenger
ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE
Isaiah 35:1-10
Related Blogs:
https://guidingthoughtsandinspirations.blogspot.com/2024/09/gods-sovereign-plan.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/09/prayer-for-trust-and-transformation.html
Responsorial Psalm
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
TRUST IN GOD THE CREATOR AND REDEEMER
Psalm 146:1-10
Related Blogs:
https://guidingthoughtsandinspirations.blogspot.com/2024/09/gods-compassion.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/09/prayer-for-compassion-and-justice.html
Second Reading
III: Exhortations and Warnings
SINS OF PARTIALITY
James 2:1-13
Related Blogs:
https://guidingthoughtsandinspirations.blogspot.com/2024/09/gods-impartial-love.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/09/prayer-to-avoid-partiality-and.html
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
