Word to the Wise
Friday, February 11, 2022 - Friday in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19 and Mark 7:31-37]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 finer into the man's ears and spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, "Ephatha!" (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." [Mark]
On the surface, given the English translation, this incident from the Gospel According to Mark seems to recount one more healing miracle from Jesus and his problems with keeping his ministry from being misunderstood as simply that of a wonder-worker. Scripture scholars also point out that the Greek vocabulary resembles accounts elsewhere of Jesus' power over demons ("groaned" and "Ephatha!"). The word for speech impediment used in this text appears only one other time in the Bible in Isaiah 35: 5-6 in which Isaiah speaks to the messianic last days: Then the eyes of the blind shall see and the ears of the deaf be opened; then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy!" Thus the evangelist manages to offer much in a single scene!
Today the Word Day of the Sick and the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes are celebrated. The COVID pandemic has impacted the whole life of the planet! Not everyone can go to the famous healing shrine at Lourdes, but the intercession of Mary is universal and we can invoke that today especially for those particularly suffering from COVID, whether they are sick or a caregiver. To be remembered also are those who experience speech impediments of various kinds and for those who help them overcome this challenge. (I have especially in mind those students getting degrees in speech pathology!). Sickness and disability can be terribly isolating and it is within the power of all of us who are baptized to bring the consolation of prayer and love. AMEN