Be Opened: A Reflection on Mark 7:31-37

In today's gospel reading, we encounter a powerful moment of transformation. Jesus travels through the Decapolis region, and people bring him a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. This encounter reveals something profound about how God works in our lives.

A Personal Touch

What strikes us first is Jesus's intimacy. He doesn't perform a public spectacle. Instead, he takes the man aside, away from the crowd. In a world that constantly broadcasts everything, this reminds us that our deepest healing often happens in quiet, personal moments with God.

Jesus then does something remarkable. He puts his fingers in the man's ears and touches his tongue. He doesn't keep his distance. He enters into the messy, broken places of this man's life. This is how God loves us—not from afar, but right in the midst of our struggles.

Ephphatha: Be Opened

Looking up to heaven, Jesus sighs and says one word: "Ephphatha"—"Be opened." Immediately, the man can hear and speak clearly.

This word echoes through the centuries to us today. Where do we need to be opened? Perhaps we've closed our ears to God's voice, drowned out by the noise of daily life. Maybe we've lost the ability to speak words of kindness, forgiveness, or truth.

Our Modern Deafness

We might have perfect physical hearing, but how often do we suffer from spiritual deafness? We hear the criticism but miss the compliment. We tune into the negative news but shut out the cry of those in need. We listen to our fears but ignore the gentle whisper of God's peace.

The man in the gospel was brought to Jesus by others who cared about him. This reminds us that we don't walk this journey alone. Sometimes healing begins when someone else refuses to give up on us, when a friend, family member, or community member brings us to the place of encounter with Christ.

An Invitation to Openness

Today, Jesus extends the same invitation to each of us. He wants to take us aside from the noise and chaos. He wants to touch the broken places we've been hiding. He wants to look to heaven on our behalf and speak that powerful word over our lives: "Be opened."

Open to hear God's voice in Scripture and in the silence. Open to speak words that heal rather than harm. Open to listen to those we've tuned out. Open to receive the love God wants to pour into our hearts.

The people who witnessed this miracle were astonished and said, "He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." The same Jesus who opened that man's ears two thousand years ago is ready to open ours today.

A Prayer

Lord Jesus, speak your word over my life today. Ephphatha—be opened. Open my ears to truly hear your voice and the needs of those around me. Open my heart to receive your love. Open my lips to speak words of truth, kindness, and encouragement. Help me to step away from the noise and meet you in the quiet places. Amen.