Sunday Reflections | 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Times

By SIDTP SoCom

Published on September 8, 2024

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis.

People brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. Jesus took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue. Then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” – that is, “Be opened!” – And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.

Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

In this passage from Mark’s Gospel, Jesus travels to the district of the Decapolis and encounters a man who is deaf and has difficulty speaking. The people bring him to Jesus, asking for healing.

Jesus takes the man aside, away from the crowd, and performs a healing act that is both intimate and profound. He touches the man’s ears and tongue, looks up to heaven, and says, “Ephphatha!”—which means “Be opened!” Immediately, the man’s ears are opened, and he can speak clearly.

Jesus instructs those present not to tell anyone about this miracle. Yet, despite His request, the people are so amazed that they spread the news everywhere. They are astonished and declare, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

This story highlights several important lessons:

Jesus takes the man away from the crowd to heal him privately, showing His personal care and attention to individual needs. It emphasizes that each person matters deeply to God.

The healing is immediate and complete, demonstrating Jesus’ divine power and authority over physical limitations and His ability to bring about transformation in people’s lives.

Despite Jesus’ instructions, the man’s healing becomes widely known. This reflects the natural human response to witness something extraordinary and powerful, reminding us of the excitement and joy that come from experiencing and sharing the miracles of God.

In our own lives, this passage encourages us to trust in Jesus’ power to heal and transform. It also reminds us to share our experiences of God’s goodness, even when it’s challenging to keep such joy to ourselves.