In the seventh chapter of the Gospel of St. Mark, we read the account of Jesus healing a deaf man who had a speech impediment. Jesus touched his ears and tongue while saying the Aramaic word Ephphatha, which means “be opened.” This beautiful gesture is repeated at every Baptism. During Baptism it carries the sense of faith healing our spiritual deafness.
Physically speaking, hearing and speaking are connected. Spiritually speaking, hearing and speaking are connected as well. The more we can hear the Word of God in our hearts, the more we can speak clearly about Him, truth and love. May the Holy Spirit help us to open wide the doors of our hearts to Christ.
God bless you,
Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
St. Joseph Friary, Harlem, New York
Dear beloved Friars! (We especially wish to greet the ones who know us from their trip to Burlington, Vermont. We thank you for having attended the Vermont Catholic Youth Conference last summer!),
ReplyDeleteWe are in desperate need of prayers! They are trying to pass the "Doctor Prescribed Death" bill, introduced as H.274, in Vermont.
God Bless