Daily reflection – 2/20/2023
Sacred Scripture
Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He 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. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. 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)
Reflection
Even though Jesus knew that reports of miracles and prodigious events would lead people to think of him merely as a wonderworker and consider his Kingdom to be merely another earthly reign, he couldn’t resist the pleas of those who were suffering. The miracles were meant to be signs, confirmations of the truth of his teachings, and invitations to trust and obey him. Unfortunately, although many people were willing to be cured by him, few were willing to suffer with him – that became clear at the time of his passion.
And yet, to be a citizen of his Kingdom means both enjoying his benefits and living under his rule. Now some might bridle at the phrase “living under his rule,” but it’s not giving up your freedom. Rather it is bringing our thoughts, words, and actions into line with his standard and example.
But too often, we find ways to justify why we are not living His word. We treat the Lord more as a remote deity who is there when we need Him. When he asks too much of us, when he demands more of us than we are willing to give, we move away from Him. We make excuses as to why we can’t. So, for the moment, we put him in a box – similar to a Jack In The Box. When we need him, we push the button. When we want it our way, we close the lid.
Yet, every moment of our lives, we are in the presence of God. Every moment of our lives Jesus walks with us. Our lives have been flooded with the example of His love for us and those we love.
Why then can’t we give back some of that love?
After four plus decades of active ministry, I can tell you that the most common reason is that we truly have not entered an active relationship with Jesus Christ.
Active. Relationship.
Active means that each day, we need to find a way to both talk with God and to listen to God. Talking with God is just that. Converse with His son, Jesus. Tell him of your day, your week or parts of your life that you no longer talk about but still are part of who you are. Make the time each day to do that. Then add on a few more minutes where you sit silently and just listen. Listen to the thoughts that begin to form. Image Jesus with you. Sitting across from you. Look at His eyes and see the love that He has for you. What is he guiding you to do ?. It will work. Perhaps not in a day but if you take the time each day to do that, you will begin to feel the presence of Jesus within you.
Now you have come to the relationship. You are not new to Jesus but meeting him every day may be. That is the absolute joy of our faith. The ability for us to know Jesus in our lives. And I believe His joy is enhanced because He who created you, He who loves you, He who has forgiven you over and over and will continue to forgive you, can now mark you as His child.
I know this may sound simplistic to some. But humanity has found a way to build faith into an institution. Institutions are there to serve us. Institutions sometimes wind up getting in the way (that’s spoken by a person who is part of an institution), Nothing should ever come between you and God.
Let Jesus say to you: “Ephphatha!” “Be Open” Be Open to His love filling your life.
Prayer of The Day
I want to follow you, Lord. You are faithful, and you govern my life and the entire world with perfect wisdom. Open my eyes, enlighten my mind, so that I will discover your presence and your will in each moment, in every circumstance. You never cease to draw me to yourself; never let me stop seeking your face.
Daily Note
The people’s response to this miracle testifies to Jesus’ great care for others: He has done all things well. No problem or burden was too much for Jesus’ careful consideration. The Lord treats each of us with kindness and compassion and he calls us to treat one another in like kind. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves. Do you love others and treat them with considerateness as Jesus did?
