Deacon Tom Writes
“The Secret To Success”
Jesus has a remarkable encounter with a deaf man as he traveled the countryside of the Decapolis. Petitioned by the man’s friends, Jesus cures him. “Be Opened!” Jesus says two simple words to the deaf man and he is able to hear. His life changed in an instant. There is newness to the world he has been living but not fully participating in. He is complete, made whole, reunited to the community from which he was isolated and ready, perhaps, to begin life anew.
There are many events recorded in scripture that demonstrate Jesus had power over the natural world. He changed water into wine, walked on water, calmed the sea. But Jesus’ greatest power lies in his power to heal as we read in today’s gospel. He uses that power to set this man free from the loneliness and isolation that his deafness caused.
The words we hear in the gospel today are powerful, “Be opened”. They challenge us to look into our lives and find those attitudes and behaviors that stand in contrast to the openness to which God calls us. Are we “Open” to forgive someone who has hurt us? Are we “Open” to letting go of resentments? Are we "Open" to changing our behavior and stop gossiping or thinking that we are better than others?
Be Opened! Not just our ears, but our minds and attitudes also. We are living in a fast-paced, media fueled, 280 character twitter tweet, relationship challenged world and we can’t help but wonder if, when we speak, there’s anybody listening?” Is anyone open to what we are saying when we speak about God’s love for us and for every person; that we are made in God’s image and likeness; that we are infused with great dignity, and our destiny is to share eternity in the divine presence?
When we are “Opened” to the Word of God, our lives change, just as the man in the gospel’s life was changed. We don’t know the details on what changed. We only know that everyone was told to keep silent about what happened. Yet, because of their astonishment, they just couldn’t keep this amazing occurrence to themselves. They had to spread the word. And those words did not fall upon deaf ears! Praise God!
God never disappoints. There is nothing in our lives that God can’t use to bring about the good if we turn to him and trust in him. That’s the deeper meaning of faith. That’s the “Openness” that God longs for so that he can fill us with every good thing in our time of need. Openness is our invitation to God to come into our lives and holds the secret to success in attaining a peaceful and joy filled spiritual life.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Image credit: dave-burke.squarespace.com/storage/ephphatha.jpg
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