September 9, 2018

Gospel: Mk 7:31-37
Again, Jesus set out: from the country of Tyre he passed through Sidon and, skirting the sea of Galilee, he came to the territory of Decapolis. There, a deaf man, who also had difficulty in speaking, was brought to him. They asked Jesus to lay his hand upon him. Jesus took him apart from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears, and touched his tongue with spittle. Then, looking up to heaven, he said with a deep sigh, “Ephphata!” that is, “Be opened!” And immediately, his ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak clearly. Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone about it; but the more he insisted, the more they proclaimed it. The people were completely astonished and said, “He has done all things well; he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

Lectio Divina
Read: The advent of God into our midst is marked by events of healing, redemption, and joy – it is not an event to be scared of. Jesus proves the same by curing the deaf person and other miracles that bring relief to the suffering. We are invited to share in this healing of the world by caring for the inner substance of human beings, and not to be distracted by the external differences among them.
Reflect: The letter of James is a “how to” manual of the Gospel message: he translates the dynamics of the Kingdom into everyday living. Our ordinary tendency is to treat people based on their social standing and external achievements. How we sometimes bend over backwards to please folks with high social standing! The invitation of the Kingdom is to see beyond the peripherals and relate to the essence of everyone, an essence that is endowed with dignity and God’s own image.
Pray: Lord, help me relate to people not with the worldly standards, but with the Gospel standard.
Act: Converse with someone below your social rank, treating him/her with respect, dignity and equality.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018