REFLECTIONS TODAY

From the district of Tyre, in Lebanon, Jesus goes back to the shores of Galilee, in particular to the district of Decapolis (Ten Cities), east of the Jordan River. Upon arrival, the people, like the Syro-Phoenician woman, beg Jesus to lay his hand on the deaf-mute to cure him. 

Jesus does not lay his hand but touches his ears and spits, touches his tongue and prays to the heavens, saying, “Ephphatha” which means in Aramaic, “Be opened.” The man is immediately healed. 

Jesus asks the people who witnessed to be quiet about it, but all the more they announce it. For they are exceedingly amazed at his power. “He has done all things well” (v 37). He has performed beyond their expectation. We can also do well, like Jesus, when we recognize the blessings God has given us and we are willing to share them with others.

First Reading • 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19 

Jeroboam left Jerusalem, and the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the road. The two were alone in the area, and the prophet was wearing a new cloak. 

Ahijah took off his new cloak, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam: “Take ten pieces for yourself; the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s grasp and will give you ten of the tribes. 

One tribe shall remain to him for the sake of David my servant, and of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.’” 

Israel went into rebellion against David’s house to this day.

Gospel • 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.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.