Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Able to hear
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
Wise as he was before, Solomon in his later years became deaf to God; this was the cause of the division of his kingdom.
A sign that Jesus is the Promised Saviour is that he first goes to the poor, the sick, and the marginalised people, for they need him most. Not only material poverty is meant. The deaf and the mute, the hard of hearing and the stammerers are we who are shut up within ourselves, often closed to God and to one another. Jesus comes to open our ears and mouths to the words and deeds of God, so that we may listen to his message and respond to his love, and that we may also hear those who are poor and speak to them. Note that this miracle too happens in pagan territory. Let Jesus in the Eucharist heal us and commit us to God and people.
Opening Prayer
Our saving God,
Jesus your Son made those who were deaf hear
and those who were dumb speak.
Make us see that often we are stutterers
and hard of hearing.
Open our ears to the message of your Son
that it may stir our hearts and change our lives.
Loosen our tongues to proclaim
the great things you do for us
through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior for ever.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 81:10-11ab, 12-13, 14-15
R. (11a and 9a) I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
"There shall be no strange god among you
nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt."
R. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
"My people heard not my voice,
and Israel obeyed me not;
So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts;
they walked according to their own counsels."
R. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
"If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
Quickly would I humble their enemies;
against their foes I would turn my hand."
R. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers of the Faithful
– For the Church, that we may not only love the poor and care for them but also protest with courage when they are trampled upon, we pray:
– For educators in the faith – priests, sisters, catechists, teachers – that they themselves may listen to God’s word, and then pass it on with conviction and love, we pray:
– For those who are deaf and blind to other people and to their love and needs, that their eyes and hearts may be opened to the treasures of love and sharing, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord, our God, merciful Father,
you set the table of your Son
for rich and poor alike.
By the strength of this bread of life,
do not allow us to remain deaf
to your voice crying out
in the needs of the poor and the oppressed.
Teach us and help us to speak to them
not just words of pity
but deeds of justice, dignity and love.
May this be the sign
that your Son is alive among us,
he who is our Lord and Savior for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Saving God,
in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have chosen
what is poor and weak in this world,
to be rich in faith and love
and to be heirs to your kingdom.
Jesus did all things well.
Speak through us who were once
faint-hearted and tongue-tied
deeds of mercy and hope,
for you have healed and freed us all
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
Jesus has been with us in this Eucharistic celebration to bring us out of our isolation and to open us, in respect and love, to God and to our neighbor, that is, to all. Like Jesus, may we become available particularly to the poorest among us and let them feel that, with God, we too care. May Almighty God give you this openness and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION:
Mark 7:31-37
Away from the Crowd
There are times in life when we need to pull away from the crowd to rediscover ourselves and reconnect with God. Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, filled with relentless noise and obligations, it becomes challenging to listen to our hearts or articulate our true feelings. We often operate in “automatic mode,” oblivious to how this fast-paced lifestyle impacts our well-being. Jesus invites us to withdraw—not merely to rest, but to heal. Let us seek His guidance to pause, step back from the chaos, and rejuvenate our inner peace. By distancing ourselves from the crowd, we open ourselves to encounter God.
The term “Ephphatha,” which translates to "Be opened," highlights the significance of being receptive. To grow, we need to open our hearts to God, to others, and to the opportunities life presents. Listening is crucial: to genuinely understand what others and God are telling us. Only then can we communicate in ways that meaningfully impact those around us.
In the Gospel, the man healed by Jesus was surrounded by people yet unable to engage. We too can isolate ourselves or fall into monotonous routines that rob us of joy. Reflect: When did you last listen to others or share meaningfully? Fear of judgment may hold us back, but Jesus invites us to open our hearts. Embrace life joyfully and with courage.
Lord Jesus, help me to step away from life’s noise and find healing in Your presence. Open my heart to listen to Your voice and the voices of those around me. Teach me to speak with love and courage, so I may bring joy and hope to others. Amen.
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Mark 7:31-37
“Ephphatha!”
The deaf and mute man in today's Gospel is a symbol of humanity in general. Since he doesn't listen to sounds and doesn't hear words, he doesn't learn how to make sounds and words either. People are deaf to the Word of God; they can't understand, comprehend, or accept it and therefore, they are unable to communicate the voice of God.
“Ephphatha! ” Jesus commands. “Open up!” We have a closed man, and Jesus commands him to, “Open up.” His ears open, and the knot of the tongue is untied.
The thought of him having his tongue knotted is almost ridiculous. Jesus’ word lets it go. Today, as part of the complete rite of adult baptism, this rite is still celebrated. The priest touches the ears and mouths of the baptised after the other symbolic gestures like the anointing, the robe, and the light, saying: 'May the Lord Jesus who makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak, grant you to hear his Word soon, and proclaim your faith to God's glory.'
This deaf-mute man becomes the prototype of the catechumen, the one who attends the catechism in preparation to receive baptism, being open to listening to the Word and being open to announcing his faith. We want the Lord to continue to whisper this command into our ears, “Ephphatha”, that we become open to his Word and profess our faith through our words and deeds.