30 August 2010: ‘Ephpheta.’

“And returning from the coasts of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.” (Mk 7:31) No other miracle or conversion is recorded in Phoenicia.

Therefore, our Lord went there only to reward this heathen woman for her fidelity to the secret inspirations of grace, to lead her into the city of salvation, and convert her to the faith of the true God by the miracle wrought upon her daughter. In short, to save a soul.

Jesus teaches that we should regard the salvation of a single soul as worthy of a laborious mission. A very consoling thought for a Brother of Charity, for instance, who has but one sick person to nurse, for a teacher who has only one pupil to educate, for a missionary who seems to convert very few sinners.

Our Lord teaches us to also exercise zeal and charity in a wide or narrow circle both meriting obedience.

“Jesus had scarcely entered Galilee when they brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephpheta’, that is, ‘Be opened’. And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.” (Mk 7:32-5)

The Gospel history appeals both to our eyes and hearts. Let us look closely at this picture, and the application will present itself. Begin with the ‘persons’.

1. The ‘crowds’ run towards Jesus from all sides and cannot leave him. I am so tardy in going to visit him in the Blessed Sacrament; always so ready to leave him.

2. The ‘person of Jesus Christ’ -- his whole bearing breathes gravity, sanctity, unspeakable sweetness. What a contrast to my worldly manners, my rudeness!

3. The ‘deaf mute’ could only express his feelings by looks of love and confidence. Jesus understood them and was touched. A look of love and compassion on my crucifix can draw down many graces on me, and I neglect to do it! Let us next contemplate--

4. The ‘actions’ -- full of mystery and lessons. Jesus takes the deaf mute alone to teach us to avoid ostentation. He touched the ears with his fingers and the tongue with saliva. He raised his eyes and sighed towards heaven, to let us understand the cure of spiritual deafness and dumbness is difficult. Above our strength, we can obtain it by earnest prayers.

Having witnessed the miracle wrought on the deaf mute, and on many others who were cured the same day of different infirmities, they wondered and said, “He has done everything well” (Mk 7:37).

How happy we would be if these words in all truth is our epitaph. Well before God: doing all things in their proper order with great fervor and purity of intention.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp541-3

Obedience with deeds

In one of his homilies, St Josemaria Escrivá dwelt on the importance of letting our Lord get involved in our lives. We must welcome Jesus confidently and joyfully, removing from his way any obstacle; going against selfishness and tendency to follow our own will.

He said, ‘We tend to be on the defensive, to be attached to our selfishness. We always want to be top dog, even if it’s only to be on top of our wretchedness. That is why we must go to Jesus, so he will make us truly free. Only then will we be able to serve God and all men ...

Let us be forewarned, then, for we will always tend to be selfish, and this temptation can occur in many ways. God wants us to show our faith when we obey, for he doesn’t express his will with drums and trumpets.

Sometimes he suggests his wishes in a whisper, deep in our conscience; and we must listen carefully to recognize his voice and be faithful.

‘He often speaks to us through other people. But when we see their defects or doubt whether they are well informed, whether they have grasped all aspects of the problem, we feel inclined to disobey.

'All this may have a divine meaning, for God does not impose a blind obedience on us. He wants us to obey intelligently, and we have to feel responsible for helping others with the intelligence we do have.

‘Let’s be sincere with ourselves’, St Josemaria concluded; ‘examine, in every case, whether it is love for the truth which moves us or selfishness and attachment to our judgment.’

Ref: cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters with Christ”, 1990, p126

Obedience and freedom

A very good sign of excellence in spiritual life is our willingness to obey others.(St Thomas, “Commentary, Epistle to the Philippians”, 2, 8)

“Pride inclines us to do our own will, to seek what exalts us, not to wish to be directed by others; but to direct them. Obedience is opposed to this pride. The only Son of the Father came to save us, to cure our pride, becoming obedient unto death, even to death of the cross.“ (R Garrigou-Lagrange, “Three Ages of the Interior Life”, II, 129)

Jesus wants to teach us the path of self denial: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps 118:105)

Obedience derives from freedom, as it simultaneously leads us to greater freedom. When a person obeys wholeheartedly, he is actually conserving his freedom by choosing the good. Like driving through traffic where we do not feel restricted by markings on the road.

Love is essential to Christian obedience. Christ obeyed the Will of the Father not because he ‘had’ to, but he ‘wanted’ to. “Love is what makes our obedience fully free. For the person who wants to follow Christ, the law is never a burden. It becomes a burden only insofar as one fails to discern the call of Christ. ...” (C Burke, “Authority and Freedom in the Church”, p49)

Let us ask Our Lady to inspire us to imitate Christ through our humble obedience.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:107-8; 110

Our Lady of Carquere, on the river Douro in Portugal. Egas de Monis, tutor of King Alphonsus I, carried the young prince into this ancient church of the Blessed Virgin that his legs might be straightened through her intercession; who perfectly Succeeded. --Vasconcellius, in Regib. Lusit. Anacephal. 1 and 2. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

‘Nossa Senhora’ / Our Lady of Carquera / Carquere. Portugal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

‘Notre Dame de la Délivrance’. Basilica in Senegal [West Africa].(www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

‘Notre Dame de la Délivrance’ (Martinique, Latin America). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://www.giftstor.org/maeyfest.htm); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)