Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 333
Lectionary: 333
Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals
that the LORD God had made.
The serpent asked the woman,
“Did God really tell you not to eat
from any of the trees in the garden?”
The woman answered the serpent:
“We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
it is only about the fruit of the tree
in the middle of the garden that God said,
‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman:
“You certainly will not die!
No, God knows well that 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.”
The woman saw that the tree was good for food,
pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.
So she took some of its fruit and ate it;
and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her,
and he ate it.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened,
and they realized that they were naked;
so they sewed fig leaves together
and made loincloths for themselves.
When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden
at the breezy time of the day,
the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God
among the trees of the garden.
that the LORD God had made.
The serpent asked the woman,
“Did God really tell you not to eat
from any of the trees in the garden?”
The woman answered the serpent:
“We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
it is only about the fruit of the tree
in the middle of the garden that God said,
‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman:
“You certainly will not die!
No, God knows well that 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.”
The woman saw that the tree was good for food,
pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.
So she took some of its fruit and ate it;
and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her,
and he ate it.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened,
and they realized that they were naked;
so they sewed fig leaves together
and made loincloths for themselves.
When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden
at the breezy time of the day,
the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God
among the trees of the garden.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R. (1a) Blessed
are those whose sins are forgiven.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
AlleluiaSEE ACTS 16:14B
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 7:31-37
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.”
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.”
Meditation: "He has
done all things well"
How
do you expect the Lord Jesus to treat you when you ask for his help? Do
you approach with fear and doubt, or with faith and confidence? Jesus
never turned anyone aside who approached him with sincerity and trust. And
whatever Jesus did, he did well. He demonstrated both the beauty and goodness
of God in his actions.
The
Lord's touch awakens faith and brings healing
When Jesus approaches a man who is both deaf and a stutterer, Jesus shows his considerateness for this man's predicament. Jesus takes him aside privately, not doubt to remove him from embarrassment with a noisy crowd of gawkers (onlookers). Jesus then puts his fingers into the deaf man's ears and he touches the man's tongue with his own spittle to physically identify with this man's infirmity and to awaken faith in him. With a word of command the poor man's ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
When Jesus approaches a man who is both deaf and a stutterer, Jesus shows his considerateness for this man's predicament. Jesus takes him aside privately, not doubt to remove him from embarrassment with a noisy crowd of gawkers (onlookers). Jesus then puts his fingers into the deaf man's ears and he touches the man's tongue with his own spittle to physically identify with this man's infirmity and to awaken faith in him. With a word of command the poor man's ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
What
is the significance of Jesus putting his fingers into the man's ears? Gregory
the Great, a church father from the 6th century, comments on this miracle:
"The Spirit is called the finger of God. When the Lord puts his fingers
into the ears of the deaf mute, he was opening the soul of man to faith through
the gifts of the Holy Spirit."
The
transforming power of kindness and compassion
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 manner. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves. Do you show kindness and compassion to your neighbors and do you treat them with considerateness as Jesus did?
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 manner. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves. Do you show kindness and compassion to your neighbors and do you treat them with considerateness as Jesus did?
"Lord
Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with love and
compassion. Make me attentive to the needs of others that I may show them
kindness and care. Make me an instrument of your mercy and peace that I may
help others find healing and wholeness in you."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The touch of the Lord, by Ephrem
the Syrian (306-373 AD)
"That
power which may not be handled came down and clothed itself in members that may
be touched, that the desperate may draw near to him, that in touching his
humanity they may discern his divinity. For that speechless man the Lord healed
with the fingers of his body. He put his fingers into the man's ears and
touched his tongue. At that moment with fingers that may be touched, he touched
the Godhead that may not be touched. Immediately this loosed the string of his
tongue (Mark 7:32-37), and opened the clogged doors of his ears. For the very
architect of the body itself and artificer of all flesh had come personally to
him, and with his gentle voice tenderly opened up his obstructed ears. Then his
mouth which had been so closed up that it could not give birth to a word, gave
birth to praise him who made its barrenness fruitful. The One who immediately
had given to Adam speech without teaching, gave speech to him so that he could
speak easily a language that is learned only with difficulty (Genesis 1:27-28). (excerpt
from HOMILY ON OUR LORD 10.3)
Friday 15 February 2019
Genesis 3:1-8. Psalm 31(32):1-2, 5-7. Mark 7:31-37.
Happy are those whose sins are forgiven – Psalm 31(32):1-2, 5-7.
‘They were astonished beyond measure’.
Jesus often surprised people – healing Gentiles, dining with tax
collectors, forgiving prostitutes. He can surprise us too by calling us to
himself and using us to advance his kingdom on earth. Why are we often
‘astonished beyond measure’ at the work of the Lord? Perhaps we have heard of
the conversion of a hardened criminal or a miraculous healing from cancer.
Perhaps we have seen a family member who was far from God return to him.
These manifestations of God’s power are wonderful, and we
rejoice in them. They remind us of a truth we should already know: ‘nothing is
impossible to God’ (Luke1:37). Lord Jesus, help me to recall the wonders you
have accomplished in my life, knowing that best is yet to come!
Saint Claude de la Colombière
Saint of the Day for February 15
(February 2,1641 – February 15, 1682)
 |
| Saint Claude de la Colombière statue, Saône-et-Loire, France | Benoît Prieur |
Saint Claude de la Colombière’s Story
This is a special day for the Jesuits, who claim today’s saint
as one of their own. It’s also a special day for people who have a special
devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a devotion Claude de la Colombière
promoted, along with his friend and spiritual companion, Saint Margaret
Mary Alacoque. The emphasis on God’s love for all was an antidote to the
rigorous moralism of the Jansenists, who were popular at the time.
Claude showed remarkable preaching skills long before his
ordination in 1675. Two months later, he was made superior of a small Jesuit
residence in Burgundy. It was there he first encountered Margaret Mary
Alacoque. For many years after he served as her confessor.
He was next sent to England to serve as confessor to the Duchess
of York. He preached by both words and by the example of his holy life,
converting a number of Protestants. Tensions arose against Catholics and
Claude, rumored to be part of a plot against the king, was imprisoned. He was
ultimately banished, but by then his health had been ruined.
He died in 1682. Pope John Paul II canonized Claude de la
Colombière in 1992.
Reflection
As a fellow Jesuit and as a promoter of the devotion to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Claude must be very special to Pope Francis
who has so beautifully emphasized the mercy of Jesus. The emphasis on God’s
love and mercy are characteristic of both men.
LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 7:31-37
Lectio Divina:
Friday, February 15, 2019
1) OPENING PRAYER
Father,
watch over Your family
and keep us safe in Your care,
for all our hope is in You.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
2) GOSPEL READING - MARK 7:31-37
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."
3) REFLECTION
In today’s Gospel, Jesus cures a deaf-mute. This episode is not
known very much. In the episode of the Canaanite woman, Jesus goes beyond the
frontiers of the national territory and accepts a foreign woman who does not
belong to the people and with whom it was forbidden to speak. In today’s Gospel
we notice this same opening.
Mark 7: 31. The region of the Decapolis. At that time, returning
from the territory of Tyre, Jesus went to Sidon toward the Lake of Galilee, right
through the Decapolis territory. Decapolis literally means “ten cities.” This
was a region of ten cities in the southeast part of Galilee, and its population
was gentile.
Mark 7: 31-35. To open the ears and to loosen the tongue. A
deaf-mute man was brought before Jesus. People wanted Jesus to place His hands
on him. But Jesus goes far beyond this request. He leads the man aside from the
crowd, puts His finger into the man’s ears and touches his tongue with spittle.
Looking up to Heaven, He sighed deeply and said, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be
opened!” At that same moment, his ears were opened, and at once the impediment
of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. Jesus wants the people to open
their ears and to loosen their tongues!
Mark 7:36-37: Jesus wants no publicity. And He ordered them not
to tell anyone about it, but the more He insisted, the more widely they
proclaimed it. Their admiration was unbounded and they said, “Everything
He does is good; He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.” He prohibits
that the cure be proclaimed, but in fact that does not happen. Those who have
experienced what Jesus has done go and tell others, whether Jesus wants it or
not! The people who were present at the cure began to proclaim what they had
seen and summarize the Good News as follows: Everything He does is good; He
makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak! This affirmation of the people makes us
remember creation, when it was said, “God saw that everything was good!”
(Gen 1: 31). And this also recalls the prophecy of Isaiah, where he says that
in the future the deaf will hear and the dumb will speak (Is 29: 28; 35: 5, cf.
Mt 11: 5).
The recommendation not to tell anybody. Sometimes, the attention
which Mark’s Gospel attributes to the prohibition of Jesus to proclaim the cure
is exaggerated, as if Jesus had some secret that He wanted to keep. In the
majority of cases in which Jesus works a miracle, He does not ask for silence.
Rather, He once even asked for publicity (Mk 5: 19). Sometimes, He orders not
to announce the healing (Mk 1: 44; 5: 43; 7: 36; 8: 26), but obtains the
opposite result. The more He prohibits it, the more the Good News is proclaimed
(Mk 1: 28,45; 3: 7-8; 7: 36-37). It is useless to prohibit! The interior force
of the Good News is so great that it spreads by itself.
Growing openness in the Gospel of Mark. Throughout the pages of
Mark’s Gospel, there is a growing openness toward the other populations. Thus
Mark leads the readers to open themselves toward the reality of the world
around and to overcome the preconceptions which prevent peaceful co-existence
among the different populations. When He passed through the Decapolis, a
gentile region, Jesus responded to the request of the people of the place and
cured a deaf-mute man. He is not afraid to be contaminated with the impurity of
a gentile, because in curing him, He touches his ears and his tongue. The Jews
and the disciples themselves have difficulty hearing and
understanding that a gentile who was deaf and dumb can now hear and speak
thanks to Jesus who touched him. It recalls the Song of the Servant, “The Lord
God has opened the ears, and I listen to Him” (Is 50: 4-5). In driving the
merchants out of the Temple, Jesus criticizes the unjust trade and affirms that
the Temple should be a house of prayer for all peoples (Mk 11:17). In the
parable of the wicked tenants, Mark refers to the fact that the message will be
taken away from the chosen people, the Jews, and will be given to others, the
gentiles (Mk 12:1-12). After the death of Jesus, Mark presents the profession
of faith of a gentile at the foot of the Cross. In quoting the Roman centurion
and how he recognizes the Son of God in Jesus, Mark is saying that the gentile
is more faithful than the disciples and more faithful than the Jews (Mk 15:39).
The openness to the gentiles appears very clearly in the final order given by
Jesus to the disciples, after His Resurrection: “Go out to the whole world and
proclaim the Gospel to all creation” (Mk 16:15).
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Jesus shows a great openness toward people of another race,
another religion and of other customs. We Christians, today, do we have the
same openness? Do I have this openness?
Definition of the Good News: Everything Jesus does is good! Am I
good News for others?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Sing a new song to Yahweh!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Sing to Yahweh, bless His name! (Ps 96:1-2)
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