TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mk 7:31-37

Again 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.”

REFLECTION

“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —

In the midst of last week’s gospel readings of intercessory prayers and faith, patience and trust in the Lord, we are again reminded that God comes to save us.

A few days ago I had a “Cinderella moment”. No not the prince and the ball moment but the wicked sisters trying to force a size 6 foot into a size 5 shoe.

Daily I have covered my family, PAPA, my relationships and my spiritual life with prayer. However, when my prayers were not answered I became frightened with the “what if’s” and so I tried to force my ideas and plans and found myself frustrated and crying. In my quest for doing things my way and praying God would agree, I lost a most needed treasure which was trust, humility and obedience.

Did not St Monica pray for years for St Augustine? Did not the expert fisherman Peter trust the Lord and obey him catching a full net of fish? Did not the friends of the deaf and mute man trust the Lord and did not the Lord take pity on him?

In confession my eyes and ears were opened. I should have prayed for trust, humility and obedience instead of my “wish list”.

Today is the birthday of St Teresa of Calcutta- an example of trust, humility and obedience. She said that “confession was nothing but humility in action”. Confession is a place to let go and let Jesus work wonders.

The wise counsel of the priest who is in the persona of Christ, and the great mercy of forgiveness of God gave me the fortitude to not despair.

So when your size 6 ideas don’t fit God’s plans, remember you are loved by God, precious in His eye. Trust in Him.

God bless you.