September 06, 2015
23rd Sunday Ordinary Time
We can have fun with words. A thief who stole a calendar got 12 months. A dentist and manicurist married; they fought tooth and nail. For more puns ask Deacon Joe Mercurio. Words also have power. Examples: God said: “Let there be light.†Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Declaration. When two people say to each other: “I love you.†Certain spoken words are word-events.
In the Gospel Jesus utters the word: “Ephphatha†– “Be opened!†Immediately the man’s ears are opened, his speech impediment is removed and he speaks plainly. People are astonished. “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.†In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah envisions God coming to save us. “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened.†We will see streams bursting forth in the desert, rivers in the grasslands, pools welling up in burning sands. God’s coming is manifest in creation. God’s coming or presence is also manifest in the community of believers. The Letter of Saint James (2nd reading) exhorts the believing community to be doers of the word and not only hearers. Specifically, the author notices partiality in the assembly where the wealthy with gold rings receive preference above the poor in shabby clothes. St. James admonishes: “Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?â€
Pope Francis will soon be visiting America. He will announce the Joy of the Gospel and God’s mercy/salvation in Jesus Christ. He will acknowledge the contribution of our nation to the world but he will also utter challenging words regarding the sanctity of human life, dignity of the person, disparity of income, racial injustice, refugee crisis, immigration, despoiling of creation and care of our common home, the earth. I pray the inner ear of our hearts will be open to receive, reflect upon and act on Pope Francis’ words that are spoken in humility, with personal conviction and authority of Sacred Scripture and Social Teaching of the Church. “Ephphatha!â€
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22nd Sunday Ordinary Time
