“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 – Be opened… He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” (Mk 7:33-35, 37b).
23rd Sunday in OT, Cycle B-2021. 5 September 2021. Isaiah 35:4-7a + James 2:1-5 + Mark 7:31-37.
I have speech impediments:
When I speak not of God;
When I speak not against what is not right;
When I speak not against what is not true;
When I speak not against what is not just;
When I speak not to people;
When I speak not to console;
When I speak not for peace.
I am hearing impaired:
When I heed not God’s call;
When I heed not the truth;
When I heed not the Law;
When I heed not correction;
When I heed not others’ rights;
When I heed not others’ sighs;
When I heed not others’ needs.
O Lord GOD, my healer,
Say ‘Ephphatha! Open up!’
Open my ears to listen wide,
For in listening I can speak.
Loosen my tongue to speak wise,
For in wisdom I can teach.
Teach me when it is wise to speak;
Nudge me when it is best to shut up. VSS
Picture credit: Jesus heals a deaf mute, by groupbiblestudy.com
BrieflectionS 