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TO HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY

(A biblical refection on THE 23^rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – September 9, 2012)

Gospel Reading: Mark 7:31-37

First Reading: Is 35:4-7; Psalms: Ps 146:7-10; Second Reading: Jas 2:1-5

The Scripture Text

Then He returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapolis. And they brought to Him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought Him to lay His hand upon Him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, He put His fingers into his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And He charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.” (Mk 7:31-37 RSV)

We all know that God created us in His image and likeness – perfect in health and in the ability to know and love Him. But when we fell into sin, we became subject to sickness and death. We lost the fullness of the life that God intended for us. Who among us doesn’t feel the imperfections of our hearts, or of life in this world?

The promise of the Gospel is that God longs to restore us. St. Irenaeus once said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” God wants His glory to be visible in men and women who are restored to Him, fully alive in His Spirit.

The Gospel story of Jesus’ healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment demonstrates how deeply He cares, even for our physical ailments. Yet there is something more to this story. Jesus’ healing of the man’s physical ailments was a sign of the spiritual healing He wants to give each of us. If Jesus wants deaf ears to hear, how much more does He want deafened hearts to hear His voice!

Don’t be content with a partial hearing of God’s voice! Don’t settle for only a partial release from sin. Jesus came to give us life to the full, not just enough to get by: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10 RSV). This might seem too big a promise to grasp entirely, but it is God’s promise, and He is fully capable of doing what He promises (see Rom 4:20-21).

Today, let us ask the Lord to open our ears to hear Him. We ask Him to open our eyes to see Him; to clear our speech of all impediments to declaring His goodness. We ask Him to restore us – spirit, mind, and body – to the life He has always intended for each and every one of us. He wants to do it. He has promised that whoever asks with faith will receive (Mk 11:24). He will do what He wants and what He promises!

Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, You do all things well. Thank You for restoring my relationship with God the Father and for pouring out Your Holy Spirit. Fill me today with Your Holy Spirit, so that I might experience life to the full in Your presence. Amen.

A Christian Pilgrim

THE TOUCH OF HIS HAND

(A biblical refection on THE 23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 9 September, 2012)

First Reading: Is 35:4-7; Psalms: Ps 146:7-10; Second Reading: Jas 2:1-5; Gospel Reading: Mk 7:31-37

There is a poem by Myra Brooks Welch called “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.” In this poem she tells the story of an old dusty violin being auctioned. The violin is about to be sold for a mere $3 when a grey-haired man steps forward, picks it up, dusts it off and begins to play.

Than man plays such sweet music on the violin that when he finishes, the bidding jumps into the thousand of dollars. What changed its value? What transformed the old dusty violin into a precious instrument? The touch of the Master’s hand.

This is one of the themes of today’s readings.

In the first reading from Isaiah, the touch of the Master’s hand transforms the land and the lives of the Jews in exile. The burning sands of the desert become springs of water. The frightened become strong, the blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb sing and the lame leap.

In the Gospel, the touch of the Master’s hand is none other than the touch of Jesus Himself. A deaf and dumb man is brought to Him. Jesus puts His finger into the man’s ears and touches His tongue with spittle. Immediately the man is able hear and to speak.

This same touch of our divine Master’s hand continues to transform our lives today. Our brothers and sisters are the people who bring us into the presence of Christ so that His power can operate on us. The sacraments are extensions of Christ’s hands reaching out to touch and heal us. Scripture is the extension of His words of encouragement to us.

Consider some of the ways Christ heal our infirmities. How maqny time do we close our eyes in blindness to the hunger of people in Africa, to the plight of earthquake victims in Mexico, or the injustice among the migrant farm workers in the United States?

How many times do we turn a deaf ear to the cries of frustration from people victimized by inflation, to the cries of loneliness from teenagers hooked on drugs, or to the cries of hurt from people we have injured?

How many times do we keep our tongue silent when we should speak boldly in defense of the unborn and the handicapped, of honesty in government and business, and of chastity in entertainment?

But by the touch of His hand Jesus opens our eyes, unstops our ears and loosens our tongues. He changes our hearts so that we can be more sensitive to the needs of others.

Under His transforming power we become His instruments to accomplish the marvellous works described in today’s Psalm 146: to secure justice for the oppressed, give food to the hungry and set captives free.

Christ not only touches us with His hands but also uses our hands to touch others: to sustain the fatherless and the widow, protect the stranger and raise up those that are bowed down.

During this Eucharist, thank the Lord for making the prophetic vision of Isaiah a reality for us. Praise Him for translating these poetic verses of Myra Brook Welch into a personal experience for us:

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap, to a thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

+++++++++

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can understand

The worth of a soul, and the change that’s wrought

By the Touch of the Master’s Hand.