Daily Reflection for Friday February 12, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners!
We encourage you to reflect on Friday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021221.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Genesis 3:1-8
Responsorial: Psalm 32:1-2,5,6,7
Gospel: Mark 7:31-37
Our reflection on Friday’s readings:
Be opened! (Mark 7:34)
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about being open and what that means for me in my life. While I’ve always been a voracious learner, in recent years, I’ve learned that I have not always been open to hear. I have not always been open to hear the cry of the poor, oppressed and marginalized. I have not always been open to hear the opinions of those with whom I disagree. I have not always been open to hear the subtext in conversations with family and friends who are trying to communicate that they are struggling and could use my help and support. And most importantly, I have not always been open to hear what God is trying to say to me to guide me in my journey through this life.
In today’s gospel, Jesus heals the deaf man and gives him the ability to hear and to speak. Given his speech impediment, it seems likely that this man had never been able to hear and had been living in a silent world his entire life. Can you imagine what that must have been like to hear for the first time? The joy of experiencing this new sense must have been overwhelming. The gospel tells us that “his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.” Mark 7:35. So it was not just the ability to hear that mattered, but also the ability to speak clearly.
I believe these two abilities go hand in hand. In order to speak clearly when sharing our thoughts, our insights, or our opinions, we must start with open ears and an open heart. To effectively communicate, we need to understand our audience, where they are, what they are feeling, what they are thinking. That openness gives us understanding and wisdom, which in turn can help us to speak the best words.
One of the goals I’ve set for myself in this new year is to listen more than I speak. Since God has blessed me with both these abilities, I do not require the physical healing that Jesus gave the deaf man. However, I do need Jesus to grant me the same blessing of “Be opened!” so that I can hear with my ears and my heart all that God and the world around me is trying to communicate. May we all be more open today.
Blessings to all,
Andra Liepa