Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time…September 8, 2024

by Barbara Hickey, Notre Dame Associate

Gospel:  Mark 7:31-37

When Jesus left Tyre, he went to the Sea of Galilee Decapolis.  While there, people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Jesus to lay his hand on him.  They moved away from the crowd and Jesus put his finger in the man’s ears and spitting, touched his tongue.  Jesus then looked up to heaven and said “Ephphatha” that is “be opened.”  His ears were opened, his speech impediment was gone and he spoke plainly!

Jesus ordered the people not to tell anyone of this.  But the more he ordered them not to, the more they did.  They were very astonished at what Jesus had done, stating “He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

I have no doubt there were many more healings and miracles Jesus performed on this day.  I have never seen a miracle being performed, however I believe I’ve experienced some.  Do you ever think about someone and all of a sudden they call; or you have a feeling a friend is not well and you find out about an illness or hospitalization?  Coincidence? Maybe, but it could be Jesus giving us a needed message that I always think of as a miracle. What do you think?