Be Not Afraid

Isaiah 35, 4-7
Mark 7, 31-37

Fear is a big thing these days. It sells stuff like security systems, guards, gates, locks, walls and fences. There’s also fear of the economy, fear I may lose my job, fear I won’t be accepted, fear I won’t make it to final vows.

The very first words of the Liturgy of the Word today, shaped my thoughts and prayer: Say to all faint hearts, Courage! Do not be afraid. The presence of God, who has called us to this holy place today, is not seen in the removal of stress, problems, fear or suffering, but in the fact that in spite of all this, there is still the possibility of great goodness, great growth, accomplishments, and peace.

In the gospel this week, we hear about a deaf man with a speech impediment. He was brought to Jesus by his friends, and we see how Jesus treated him with great gentleness and dignity. Mark tells us Jesus “took the man aside, away from the crowd.” This poor man had likely suffered from people taunting him, and making fun of him for far too long. He was likely constantly filled with fear. So, very quietly, and with loving concern, Jesus takes the impediment from the man, and he is able to hear and to speak plainly. Imagine how this man’s life changed that day! Imagine the amazement of the crowd!

Certainly, a miracle took place this day, 2000 years ago. Of that, there is no question. A man, who was unable to hear or speak, was healed. Yet, if that is all this is, a miracle story, it IS wonderful, and we can say to one another, “see how great and wonderful the Lord was!” But, if ALL we see is a miracle...a physical healing, perhaps we may miss something more that God is trying to tell each of us today.

The person in this story can neither hear nor speak, and is therefore a powerful symbol of those who cannot or will not communicate. Fear always puts up walls, locks closed doors and pulls down the shades. Fear makes us blind and deaf and silent. “BE OPENED” says Jesus. He put his fingers in the man’s ears. I think he was silencing the frightening noise of the outside, so that the man could hear the call of God and the whisper of Divine Love that calms fear.

Before this miracle, perhaps this man is like ourselves, and our inability and fear to begin conversations with God, with each other, with nature, the world around us, with ourselves. The gospel this week challenges each of us to ask, in what ways am I deaf and silent?

Fear silences us. Fear sends us into isolation, and yet in those moments, the Lord takes our hand, and promises, “I am with you.” Does my fear, prevent me from coming to the Lord in prayer? Does fear prevent me from reaching out to others in service?

Can you hear the words and cries of others who need you? Are you deaf to the needs of the poor? The sick? Children, orphans? The elderly? Those living with HIV and AIDS? Can you hear the cries of those who need your service and help? Parents, do you hear the words of your children? Really listen to their life stories? Children, can you hear the words of your parents, those who are caring for you? Professed sisters, do you hear the questions and enthusiasm of the young postulants and novices? Novices, can you hear the wisdom of the professed?

And what about speaking? It what ways are you silent, unable to say important words like, “I am sorry,” “I made a mistake,” “Forgive me,” or “I love you.”

Today, Jesus says to each of us here, “Ephphatha, be opened!”