READ SCRIPTURE (Mark 7:24-37)
Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. Jesus said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. Jesus took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, Jesus sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
REFLECT ON THE READING
In our world, with widespread violence and sickness, with our own and our children’s illnesses, with our inability to hear each other and to speak clearly, it is hard to say truthfully, “Here is your God!” Rather, here is your need of God! God seems as hidden as Jesus sought to be in that house, as hidden as Jesus finally was on the cross. But Christ is risen and present with us in the assembly-house of the church or in our own homes when we read the scriptures with the church. His resurrection is openly proclaimed among us. In faith, we may come with the woman, praying for all in need and insisting that God’s no become a yes, God’s hiddenness become God’s healing presence. Empowered by the Spirit, the word of the gospel and the water of baptism open our ears to hear and our mouths to speak in love. In the holy communion, when we are able to gather, the crumbs from the Lord’s table fall to us. Here indeed is your God! We are then called to let the assembly house of the church and our own homes show forth the gracious presence of this triune God by offering free welcome to all and by sending not just words but concrete help to people in need.
PRAY
Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord.Amen.
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