September 6th, 2009
Ephphatha
I don’t know of any other word spelled with a double “ph,” but there it is: the word ephphatha is uttered by Jesus in today’s Gospel. (Mark 7:31-37). It’s a Greek form of an Aramaic word that means “be opened,” and Jesus uses it as part of his healing a deaf man with a speech impediment. (He also uses spit -- and with today’s worries about “swine flu,” I wonder how many people would go to Jesus if they knew this is what he used to heal!!)
“Be opened!” What a great command for all of us who are deaf! And we all are hard of hearing in some way. Some, like the man in the gospel, have a physical disability with regard to hearing. But all of us have some other ways in which we can’t hear others. And some of us also have speech impediments, for what comes out of our mouths are criticisms more than praise, nagging more than encouragement, making jokes at others expense instead of words of healing, curse words instead of kind words.
So as the new school year begins -- whether we’re going to school or not -- this is a time for a new beginning in which we can be opened to a new way of listening and speaking. Watch as Jesus walks up to you and invites you to come off to the side with him. He touches your ears. (What does that feel like? What does that do to you?) He touches your tongue with his spit. (Seems gross at first, but then you realize that what came from Jesus’ mouth now touches your mouth. Your words can now be Jesus’ words. Your speech can be Jesus’ speech. How do you feel about this?)
In your prayer, experience Jesus opening you to the new possibilities of being a better listener. Ask him, “Who do you want me to pay attention to more these next days?” And then over the next week look carefully at who Jesus puts in your path and really pay attention. Listen, not only with your ears, but with your eyes and your heart. Notice: what is this person going through right now? Are there joys to be shared? Are there sorrows? What can you hear that you didn’t hear before Jesus touched your ears?
Our children will be learning new and wonderful things this coming school year. We too can learn wondrous things in the months ahead when we get our new hearing and we pay attention to the words we use. May God bless all of us “students.”
