by Fr. Jose “Joesum” Sumampong, Jr.
September 5, 2021
Twenty Third Sunday in OT (B)
Isaiah 35:4-7 / Psalm 146: 6-10 / James 2: 1-5 /
Mark 7:31-37
DEEPER THAN PHYSICAL DEAFNESS
Word: The healing of the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment is recounted only in Mark, perhaps because its description of Jesus’ physical actions made him seem to much like other healers of his day. Mark is clearly referring in this account to our first reading today—he uses the same word for speech impediment used in Isaiah.
Christians have long held that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies spoken by Isaiah. This gospel, especially when proclaimed together with today’s first reading, presents Jesus as the one who restores sight to the blind, makes the lame walk, and helps the deaf hear and the mute speak. According to Mark, Jesus brings about the promised day when God will truly reign over all forces of evil and illness, so that all people can enjoy fullness of life.
The reaction of the crowd after the healing makes that point quite clear: They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and (the) mute speak” (Mk 7:37).
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Order In today’s Gospel we see Jesus cure the deaf and dumb man. He warns the man not to tell others because Jesus was interested in promoting a deeper cure kind of hearing. The man did not get Jesus’ point, as most people today do not get his point. They took for sensational phenomena, like the curing of the physically deaf and fail to appreciate or recognize relational and spiritual deafness. (Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., Sundays Into Silence, p. 278)
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Realities 1. On a dark side street, next to a car lot, body shop, and hamburger stand in the business district of Spokane, Wash., is an organization that will listen to people talk on whatever subject they want. The fee is $15 for a half-hour. “Let’s Talk” is the name of the organization and it is staffed by three people six days a week.
First there’s Kathy – no last names, please – a bespectacled brunette who ushers the clients into a room furnished with plants, a matching couch and chair, and earth-toned rugs.
“Here’s a cup of coffee,” she says. “AI will be in to see you soon,” Al is the founder … and he looks like a 6-3 football player, which he used to be until a few years ago ..
The third staff member is Cindy and all of them differ from psychiatrists because they only listen and don’t give advice.
They just listen … and people come in every day and pay $15 for 30 minutes, when they can talk themselves out… They can be themselves or be someone else and no one will make them feel ashamed of it or point an accusing finger. (Grit , LISTENING)
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2. A lady came to a lawyer’s office for a divorce. So he asked her if she had grounds for filing for divorce. She answered, “Yes, as a matter of fact, about an acre and a half.”
He replied, “Perhaps I am not communicating well. Let me try again.” He then asked her if she had a grudge. She said no, she didn’t have a grudge, but she did have a double carport.
I said, let me try this one more time, a little more to the point, “Does your husband beat you up?” She answered, “No. I generally get up earlier than he does.”
At that point he realized that he was going to have to try a different tack entirely and so he said, “Are you sure you really want a divorce?” She said, “No, I don’t want a divorce at all. It’s my husband who wants it. He says that we have difficulty communicating.” (Washington Spectator, OTHERS’ FAULTS)
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3. When Winston Churchill was in the twilight of his career, he attended an official function. Two dignitaries seated three or four rows behind him, spoke in whispers.
One said, ‘There’s Churchill. They say he’s failing badly.” The other replied, “So I’ve heard. They say he’s not only feeble but growing more and more senile.”
As Churchill was leaving at the close of the session, he paused, leaned over to speak to his detractors and said, “They also say he’s hard of hearing.” (Crumbley, GOSSIP)
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4. Here’s a story quoted by Fr. Gerry Pierse that may help us to reflect on the reality of blindness. “Blindness cuts you off from things,” said Tom, “but deafness cuts you off from people, and that’s a lot worse.”
Tom continued his story, “I was about fifteen when I quite suddenly went totally deaf. I had feared blindness as a child but did not think that deafness would be a very serious handicap. Now I came to realize that the most important thing in life is being related, and this happens most of all through the faculty of hearing. When deaf, I was isolated from so much of nature. I could no longer hear the singing of birds, or the waves beating the shore. I could not hear the voices of friends, words of comfort, hope and advise. At first some people tried to communicate with me but soon they grew tired. I could see my friends getting exasperated when I missed their meanings and they were tired of writing notes to me. I became embarrassed by their embarrassment. I became terribly isolated and lonely within myself.
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Direction : Lord God, you have called, you have cried out, and you have pierced my deafness. You have radiated forth, you have shined out brightly, and you have dispelled my blindness. You have sent forth your fragrance, and I have breathed it in, and I long for you. I have tasted you, and I hunger and thirst for you. You have touched me, and I ardently desire your peace. Amen (Prayer on Finding God after a Long Search, St. Augustine of Hippo <354-430> Bishop, Writer, and Doctor)