Word to the Wise
Friday, February 14, 2014 - Friday in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19 and Mark 7:31-37]"He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." [Mark]
FEBRUARY 14 STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS
The "law of unintended consequences" applies even to Jesus' ministry! He has a greater message than simply to be a medical healer (as wonderful as that is)! But the people focus on the event in front of them rather than on any bigger picture! The evangelist, too, may fall victim to this. The English translation loses the Greek meaning of Jesus' actions. The Greek verb used for freeing the mute man from his condition is one that refers to freeing someone from demonic possession! In the English translation this dimension of Jesus' power over demons is lost. Also, the verb appears in a passage in Isaiah 35:5-6, which describes the Messiah who will open the ears of the deaf! Jesus fits the description, but the people are not looking at that! No matter how Jesus orders them not to talk about it, they spread the word!
Both Jesus and the evangelist fall prey to the human tendency to believe what suits the needs of the moment rather than place a particular occurrence in a larger perspective! The Gospel of Mark wishes to make Jesus' true identity known at his crucifixion and resurrection, and not in a given miracle healing. We may find ourselves focusing on the marvel of the healing and not on the power of the healer who is even bigger than that one incident! However, as one of my philosophy professors in the seminary once said: "Brothers, it's hard to get the big picture when you're living inside the frame!" AMEN