#HappyBirthdayBlessedMotherMary

REFLECTION: 23RD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (B)
8th September 2024
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalms 146:6c-7.8-9a.9bc-10ab (R.1b)
James 2:1-5
Mark 7:31-37
AN OPENED EAR, A RELEASED TONGUE
A fitting sound will settle in and a glorious praise will be raised, God has touched an open heart. Left unattended because of the setbacks that we didn't choose for ourselves, Christ has seen our condition and taken special interest in us. 'What was,' is no longer the preoccupation of our thoughts; now we can begin to live in hope of 'what will be.' Christ came to make visible the special privilege He has given us to be a chosen people and a blessed generation.
That which did not reach us, wasn't because it was not sent from above; our problem lasted because of our refusal to accept the truth. Grace from heaven has been granted to those who embrace the saving plan of God. If only we would submit ourselves to the Lord in obedience to His Word, life would begin to make new meaning. If we stand still and listen, we would hear the Lord speak.
From the prophecy of Isaiah 35:4-7a, we heard of the promise to the fearful of heart, about the coming of the Lord with His recompense. God will come to save you. "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy." What has kept you from testifying to the goodness of God, shall be broken; there shall be a glorious song of praise from the lips of God's children.
A closed ear means danger, since there's no way to hear of the approaching footsteps. Israel as a nation closed her ears from listening to the Lord. Zechariah 7:11 said, "...they would not listen; they turned a rebellious shoulder; they stopped their ears rather than hear." Despite the obvious things God did for the Israelites, they failed to see or hear. Deuteronomy 29:3 attested, "but until today Yahweh has not given you a heart to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear." A miracle is required to let in the Word of life to a closed heart; if the ear and the eyes are tuned to evil, I wonder what it will take to restore it.
May the Word of Jesus bring healing to our world, that has lost the use of its senses, and persisted in the practice of evil. Matthew 4:23 said that, "Jesus was preaching the gospel of the kingdom, healing every disease and every infirmity among the people." In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus returned from the region of Tyre and Sidon, and met a deaf man, who had an impediment of speech. He healed the man, with the mandate, "Be opened, 'Ephphatha." The people were amazed, they said, "He has done all things well, he even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." We stand to gain more if we meet Jesus to restore our senses, and revive our outlook on life in general. Be open, see again, and speak with words of praise.
O Jesus: Open my eyes that I see, and my ear that I may hear. Blessed with the touch of my Saviour, I shall be renewed, and my life will know joy like never before. Amen.
Fr. Stephen O. C.Ss.R
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[@balakumardasari1981]

Happy birthday mama Mary 🎁🎆

[@SalmanRajSalmanRaj-k9u]

Haleluya. Amen.

[@jacklordvito8157]

AMEN 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤

[@ElizabethRani-pd8uc]

Amen 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Fr.OkechukwuStephenC.Ss.R]

@@ElizabethRani-pd8uc 🛐

[@MissanSlaughter-qu5oi]

Happy birthday mommy 👩 missan spitlana Louise slaughter...I love you lady bug...period

[@SamuelPaandian]

🙏🙏🌹 Amma 🌹 Thaiya Velankanni, 🙏❤️ Punitha Arockia Annaiya Vazhga 🌹, Besant Nagar Velankanni 🙏, Pootri 🌹, Pootri 🌹 Maa.