“Be Opened!”

In today’s reading Jesus healed a deaf and mute man by outting his fingers into the man’s ears and touching the man’s tongue with his spit (Mk.7:31-37). In the present dispensation of COVID-19, this kind of healing would have ignited the rage of his adversaries. It would have been considered that his actions will help to spread the COVID-19 virus.
Mere human touch, human spittle and words are still potent unconventional ways of healing in Africa. The people who brought the deaf and mute man to Jesus like in other cases did not ask him to heal the man. “They begged him to place his hand on the man.” They knew that a blessed hand like that of Jesus had healing powers.
Once again we see Jesus not wanting public attention on some of his deeds. “He took the man aside, away from the crowd….” After healing the man, “Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.” However, “the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.”
I can imagine this man who had been mute and dumb having the opportunity to repeat over and over how he gained his speech and hearing! But that was against the command of Jesus. Too much excitement can easily cause us to go against the command of the Lord.
That notwithstanding, the people’s reaction and the positive remarks are meaningful. “People were overwhelmed with amazement. ‘He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute speak.'”
Oh yes; the Lord Jesus Christ is the same tyesterday, today and for all times. Bring your handicaps and incapacities to him and he will do something very well for you!
On a deeper spiritual level we have played dumb and mute for too long by our insensitivities to the evil that is engulfing us and which is exacerbating daily.
Let us come to Jesus so he can open us up to hear the cries of his people and speak out on their behalf to their oppressors!
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ I come to you dumb and mute. Open my ears and my mouth so that I can be the mouthpiece of the masses. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Babila Fochang.