EPHATHA, BE OPENED! ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Friday, 10^thFebruary 2017,

Fifth Week in the Ordinary Time

Memorial of St. Scholastica, Virgin

Gen 3: 1-8;

Ps 32: 1-7;

Mk 7: 31-37.

EPHATHA, BE OPENED!

“Be opened!” These are powerful words commanding action. They are clear and definitive. “Be opened” is not a question, not an invitation, it is a command. These two little words reveal the fact that Jesus has made up His mind to act. They reveal that He is not hesitant in the least in this choice. He has made up His mind and has spoken His will. And this action, on His part, is what makes a difference. These two little words reveal that God is not indecisive when He speaks. He is absolute and clear. Jesus is ready and willing to exercise His all-powerful authority. Most importantly, He wants to exercise His authority when it will bring about the greatest good in our lives. If He is even in control of the natural world (physical hearing), then He is most certainly in control of the spiritual world, too. He is able to do all things good.

The deaf man could not ask for help, for he never heard the words to speak. Nobody understood what he said, but some kind people around felt some empathy for him, and brought him to Jesus. Jesus takes the man apart from the crowd, puts His fingers into his ears, touches his tongue, exclaims ‘Ephatha’ (Be opened) and the deaf man’s ears are opened; and his tongue is loosed. Jesus wants to show the man His deep concern for his condition because the gratitude of the man who is healed must impel him to do good and avoid doing evil with his ears and tongue. In particular, the man must open his ears to the Word of God, and use his tongue to proclaim the mercies of the Lord.

Let us reflect upon the two little words. Let this holy and divine authority of Jesus take control over our life. Let Him command us. Let us BE OPENED today. May we use our ears to listen to the Word of God and tongues to proclaim the Word and sing His praises.

Prayer: Lord, I do trust You and I know that You can do all things. I know that You desire to have perfect authority in my life. Help me to turn my life fully over to You and to trust You enough to direct and to command every action of my life. Jesus, I fully trust in You! Amen.