“Ephphatha—Be Open” is our prayer word and challenge today. The Genesis setting brings us to the Garden of Eden. The serpent tempts Eve to share the forbidden fruit with Adam. Deceived by the serpent’s claim, “The moment you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is evil.” Genesis 3:5.

In this story of the origin of sin, having done what was forbidden, their eyes were opened to see their nakedness. Suffering and pain take hold of the human condition, resulting in the exile of sin. Fitting is the Responsorial Psalm 32: Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven. We come to the Eucharist to acknowledge our sins and seek forgiveness from the Lamb of God. The Word of God is proclaimed, and forgiveness is received.

The gospel continues Jesus’ healing ministry. His reputation precedes his arrival, for soon, people bring him a man who is deaf and limited in his ability to speak. Reflect on the limitations in the daily life of persons with special needs. He cannot hear the world around him nor express the needs and desires within him to others.

Jesus shows this suffering man respect by moving away from the crowd privately to put his fingers in the man’s ears and saliva on his tongue. In this intimate embrace, looking to heaven with a deep groan, Jesus empties himself for the man’s redemption. Hearing this deep cry opens his ears to hear the world around him. No longer mute, he is told to tell no one but fails to obey. All are astonished.

Let us Pray:

May the Lord Jesus, who made the deaf to hear and the mute to speak, grant that you may soon receive his word with your ears and profess the faith with your lips, to the glory and praise of God the Father. Amen. (from The Rite of Baptism, the Ephphatha)