Ephphatha—Be opened

In today’s Gospel taken from Mark 7:31-37, Jesus heals a man who is deaf and mute. He takes the man aside, away from the crowd, touches his ears and tongue, and says, “Ephphatha,” meaning “Be opened.” Immediately, the man is healed, and he begins to speak plainly.

The healing of the deaf and mute man is not just a physical healing; it is symbolic of a deeper spiritual truth. Jesus’ actions in the Gospel demonstrate God’s desire for all of us to be open to His grace, love, and truth. Each of us, in our own way, experiences spiritual deafness or blindness, moments where we are closed off to God’s presence and to others around us.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be instruments of His healing. We are invited to bring others to Jesus, especially those who feel excluded, unheard, or marginalized. We do this through acts of kindness, compassion, and being present to those in need. Like Jesus, we are called to touch the lives of others with love, to speak words of healing and encouragement, and to bring them closer to God.

This Gospel invites us to reflect on our own openness to God. Are there areas in our lives where we need to be healed, where we need to allow God’s grace to “open” us? And how are we bringing others to experience this same healing? Let us pray for the grace to be open to God’s voice and to be instruments of His love and healing in the world.

“Ephphatha—Be opened” is not just for the man in the Gospel; it is for all of us. Let us allow Christ to open our hearts, our ears, and our lives to the transformative power of His love.