Opening the Ears of the Deaf

09-05-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Isaiah describes the people of Israel rejoicing because the Lord came to their aid and saved them. The Lord’s presence vindicated them from the eyes of their enemies. Israel experiences a transformation as they acknowledge God’s saving power. He removes the ills of Israel – a spiritual freedom people experience when the Messiah comes. In the Messianic time, the deaf can hear, and the mute can speak. When Christ came, He fulfilled all the Messianic prophesies, cited in Lk. 7:22, Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind sees, cripples walk, healing of lepers, the deaf hears, the dead resurrected to life, and the good news proclaimed to the poor.

God is love. His love does not discriminate against any person. But He is biased towards the poor, the sick, and the marginalized of society. Did not God choose those who are weak in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs to the Kingdom He promised to those who loved Him? Disciples are imitators of their masters, so we must imitate Jesus - who always favors the poor. For some time, the Church social ministry trumpeted the tenet of the preferential option for the poor. Loving is not only a tradition in the Church: it’s a never-ending mission. The love for the poor comes from the Gospel of the beatitudes. The poverty of Jesus and His concern for the poor. It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty. (CCC 2444)

The deaf man represents many in society. Many of us may not have the physical deafness and mute; but fall into the worse form of it, spiritual deafness. We refuse to hear the cries of the victims of injustices, religiously persecuted, or the picture of extremes: of poverty and wealth in both poor and rich countries. A heart closed to the words of God, hearing is simply by the ear and not by the ears of the heart: acknowledging our poverty before God allows us to bend our knees in humility and brings us in the best position of God’s favor. Concern for the good of the other, especially the poor, humility and compassion – gives us the advantages of God’s care and healing. The moment we reach this realization, a place in our heart and soul, Jesus readily says Ephphatha, be opened. The mission of Jesus echoes even from the time of Isaiah, to restore us, free us from the effects of sins, so that we can hear the word, put it into practice, and proclaim it to the whole world.

Jesus says Ephphatha, opening the ears of the deaf man and loosening his tongue. Now that he can hear the sound of words coming from people’s mouths - the mute man can imitate it and start speaking. Jesus shows His compassion to the deaf man and the people who brought him. The healing of the man points to the presence of the Kingdom. Right before their eyes, Jesus fulfills the words of the prophets Isaiah. The scene of people bringing the man to Jesus is an example of a vicarious faith. God heals a man because other people have faith. The community believes that Jesus can heal the man. On the other hand, an excellent reminder for all of us that faith is not only for personal use but also for those who need help.

What are our spiritual deafness and muteness? How has the Lord broken through this deafness and muteness? How have our lives changed after experiencing the healing touch of God?