Deacon Jos. Nhat Tran

ENCOUNTER JESUS

Mark 7:31-37

An elderly man had serious hearing problems for many years. One day, he decided to visit a doctor, who was able to fit him with a set of hearing aids that restored his hearing to 100%.

A month later, he returned to the doctor for a follow-up appointment. The doctor, pleased with the results, said, "Your hearing is perfect now! Your family must be so happy that you can hear again."

The old man replied with a sly smile, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to their conversations. I've changed my will three times!"

This humorous story illustrates the profound difference modern medical advancements can make in someone's life. However, it's important to remember that deafness is still a significant challenge for many people, and there is no complete cure. Today’s treatments—such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or surgeries—are a far cry from the approaches of ancient times.

In today’s gospel, we hear of a different kind of healing. Jesus took a deaf man aside, away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man’s ears, and after spitting, touched the man's tongue. He then looked up to heaven, sighed deeply, and said to him, "Ephphatha!"—that is, "Be opened!" Immediately, the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he began to speak plainly (Mark 7:33-35).

Biblical scholars explain that when Jesus takes someone aside privately, as He does in this story, it signals an impending divine revelation. The use of spittle, a technique common among both Greek and Hebrew healers, was believed to have the power to ward off evil. By looking up to heaven, Jesus invites us into His intimate relationship with the Father. His deep sigh reflects His profound compassion for those who suffer.

The command "Ephphatha" is Aramaic and was believed to possess inherent power, so much so that translating it into another language would diminish its effect. Thus, this specific word has been preserved in the proclamation of the gospel through the ages.

After performing this miraculous healing, Jesus ordered the witnesses not to tell anyone. Traditionally, this has been interpreted as the "messianic secret," a motif in Mark’s Gospel. However, modern scholars suggest a more nuanced understanding. At that time, people did not have a clear concept of who the Messiah would be or if they should expect Him in their midst. Scholar John J. Pilch notes that in an honor-based culture, Jesus' public actions could be seen as stepping outside His social bounds, thus posing a threat to established norms. By urging silence, Jesus could continue His ministry without causing undue disturbance.

Yet, despite His request for silence, Jesus’ actions spoke volumes. The people were astonished by His miracle. Mark’s narrative suggests that Jesus’ miracles were signs of the messianic age foretold by Isaiah—the age when the deaf would hear, and the blind would see. This miraculous healing was a clear indication that the long-awaited day of salvation had arrived.

Healing is a profound sign of God’s love and compassion. In ancient times, people often lost hope and meaning when faced with illness. Health implies wholeness, and healing restores what was broken. Jesus not only healed physical ailments but also restored individuals to full life within their communities. This act of healing is intimately connected to salvation, which, in this context, implies victory over death.

The story of the healing takes place in the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile region. By healing a Gentile, Jesus symbolically demonstrated that His mission extended beyond the Jewish people. The Gentiles, once thought to be outside the scope of God’s covenant, were now included in the promise of salvation. They, too, could hear and proclaim the message of Christ, entering into a relationship with God and inheriting eternal life.

How can we apply today’s gospel to our daily lives? As followers of Christ, we are called to be like the healed man, open to God’s word and eager to share it. At our baptism, through the words of the priest, Christ touched our ears and lips and commanded us to "Be opened!" God wants us to use our ears to listen to His word and our mouths to spread that word with enthusiasm and joy. Evangelization isn’t just about what we say; it’s about how we live—showing charity, integrity, and sincerity. By living this way, we draw others to Jesus, the living sign of God’s compassion, especially among the poor and marginalized, whom St. James urges us to care for in the second reading.

In the 21st century, we have an excellent model of Saint Mother Teresa though she is best known for her work with the poor in Kolkata, India, her life is a powerful example of Catholic evangelism through action. By founding the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa spread the Gospel through acts of mercy, caring for the sick, the dying, and the poorest of the poor. Her deep faith, simple yet profound love for humanity, and tireless dedication to the downtrodden drew people of all faiths to Christ. Her legacy continues as her order serves in over 130 countries, providing both spiritual and material care.

Just as the deaf man in the gospel was transformed by his encounter with Jesus, so too can we be strengthened and renewed through our encounters with Him, particularly in the sacraments. By drawing closer to Jesus in our daily lives, we prepare ourselves for the day when we will see Him face to face.