23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Readings: Is. 35:4-7, Jas. 2:1-5, and Mk. 7:31-37.
“Show No Partiality Among Others.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
1. In our first reading today, the Prophet Isaiah is addressing the Israelites who are prisoners in Babylon. They are depressed and dispirited and think of their relatives who are slaughtered by the Chaldean Soldiers; of their houses and fields burnt up by the invaders and of their land now deserted and inhabited by jackals. They are wondering whether they will ever rise from their ruins. The answer the prophet is giving them is joyful. He tells them “Be strong! Do not be afraid. Here is your God… He is coming to save you, and he went on promising extraordinary events. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.”
2. Yes – says the prophet, the Israelites are like the lame people; they cannot stand up and leave the place where they are held prisoners; they are like the blind; they move about in their dark prison cells in Babylon and cannot find their way out to freedom; they are like the deaf and dumb; they have closed their ears to the word of God who saves and having failed to listen, they are unable to communicate it to others. But God is about to come to their rescue; all their diseases will be cured. Soon they will see the light of salvation, they will set off towards the land of their fathers, walking on legs that have regained their strength, and they will be ready to listen and announce the word of God to all.
3. This oracle tells Israel once more that the curing of these diseases is to be the sign of Messianic times. Their Rabbis had taught that at the coming of the Messiah he would open the eyes of the blind, cure the lame, make the deaf hear and the dumb speak. When he gave all these signs Jesus showed that he was the expected Messiah.
It is very unfortunate to be a deaf or dumb person. Such a person is incapable of communicating with others; of keeping in contact with others; s/he cannot hear what they say, cannot react to it since s/he has not heard a thing; s/he lives in isolation, alone, though amid people. At the time of Jesus every illness was considered a punishment from God, but deafness was seen as a curse because it prevented one from hearing the word of the Lord proclaimed in Synagogues.
4. In Mark’s gospel, the deaf and dumb person stands for all those whose ears are shut; they cannot listen to the Gospel of Christ and cannot praise the Lord with their mouths. We know that human beings acquire their faith through hearing the word of God proclaimed by the announcers of the Gospel (Good News). (Rom.10:17). Anybody suffering from this “Spiritual deafness” does not have faith. Are we not deaf when we shut our ears to the invitation of Christ speaking through another brother or sister of the Community to stop certain wrong habits, to change certain behavioral ugly patterns? Aren’t our communities deaf when they do not hear the cry of the poor; of the outcast; of all those who are victims of injustices? Aren’t we dumb whenever we fail to proclaim the Gospel by words or actions; when we are ashamed to say that we do not agree with certain options against or not in line with the Gospel message?
5. The healing work of Jesus has another meaning: it represents the victory over the inability of the human being to listen to and to dialogue with his or her brothers and sisters. A person who does not positively compare himself/herself with others, keep relations with them, remains withdrawn in himself/herself and is convinced that s/he possesses all the truth and has nothing more to learn, is completely deaf and dumb.
Aren’t there in our communities and families, people who refuse to listen and to speak to anybody; who despise and offend anybody wanting to advise them, and who are aggressive with those whose opinions differ from theirs? Aren’t among us husbands and wives who do not converse with each other on all matters, and at times with their children on issues concerning them? Aren’t children among us who just follow their passions and remain deaf and dumb to the goodwill advise of their parents, and/or guardians? How can these deaf and dumb people be cured? How can we, in the name of Christ, work this miracle of opening their ears, mouths and hearts?
6. We must take seriously the advice of St. James in the 2nd reading as he employs us to “show no partiality.” In Christ, all people are afforded the same dignity that they deserve as adoptive sons and daughters of God. The invitation given to us first is to pray fervently for our relations with such infirmities. To constantly pray also for ourselves to continuously have a listening ear, the mouths that speak words of wisdom, proclaiming the gospel, and the eyes that see; also, that we have concern for others by advising them and having a loving attitude that leads them and us to conversion. At the end of each day, reflect on the judgements you have made, reflect on the right conclusions or decisions you have made and please offer a prayer for those that need our prayers, aware that we are all made in God’s image and likeness, and are equal in dignity before Him, deserving of our love. May Jesus Christ open our eyes, mouths, and ears as we are determined and resolved to do his will. May God grant us the grace. To God be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Anthony D. Lawir,
Pastor, St. Agnes and Our Lady of Snows Parishes, Pittsfield & Dexter.