Some people leave in fear for different reasons. Some are afraid of the future especially with regard to their financial security, lack of job or loss of job position. Some are afraid because of existing health conditions or a new diagnosis, family dynamics, delay in getting a life partner, delay in pregnancy after marriage and many other reasons. While these reasons may be legitimate reasons to be concerned in life, we are nevertheless encouraged today by Isaiah, the prophet of the Lord: “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes…to save you.”
It’s instructive to hear Isaiah remind us that God is here. God is always here with us. In fact, he is closest to us when we face any of the above problems. All we need to do is to bring whatever is troubling us to the Lord in prayer. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened.
In the spiritual life, there is what we call ‘spiritual blindness’. When we can’t see God working in our lives, when we are living in sin, then we need healing. The ears of the deaf be cleared, some people find it hard to hear the voice or message of God, such people also need healing from deafness that they may be able to hear the loving, merciful and caring voice of the Lord. Today we have many voices in our modern world that have become obstacles to hearing the saving and gentle voice of God. Then the lame leap like a stag, we need a leap of faith in the face of challenges. Faith in God brings down his power needed to overcome challenges, trials and whatever is causing us fear. Then the tongue of the dumb will sing. I once read a book titled, “The power of Praise.” The author teaches us like Saint Paul to praise God always even when we are faced with challenges. Remember Paul and Silas who praised God while they were in prison and God sent an angel to set them free. The Psalm of today says, “Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving: with the lyre celebrate our God.”
St. James in our second reading admonished us in these words, “My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.”
The people in the gospel showed great faith in Christ Jesus by bringing to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment for healing. Jesus took him away from the crowd, put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, Ephphatha! (that is “be opened!”) and immediately the man’s ears were opened. Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading and the Psalmist who said, “The God of Jacob…secures justice for the oppressed, the Lord sets captives free…gives sight to the blind, raises those who are bowed down.”
How did he achieve or accomplish this prophecy? He touched the man’s ear, he touched his tongue and looked up to heaven and prayed. That Jesus touched this man is very important. Pope Francis has been warning us against the culture of throw away. By touching this man Jesus teaches us that this man is important, has value, dignity. He is a child of God who deserves love and care. He is not discarded or rejected because of disease. Sometimes we abandon people because of sickness, old age, poverty or conflict. Are there people in your life that you have abandoned or thrown away? The common victims are our parents. Some see them as burdens. Dear friends, it’s a Christian obligation, duty and responsibility to provide care and support to our parents. Jesus is teaching us today that sometimes words alone are not enough in showing love. Sometimes we need to enter into the condition, enter into solidarity, touch the condition, reality, and experience of people who are in need. Do something concrete like Jesus Christ in the gospel today to help and care for a fellow brother or sister in need.