Marcos 7: 31-36
Jesus Heals a Deaf Man
31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Yes, He makes deaf hear and the mute speak !! But Jesus wants to tell us just much more when he seakes about the deaf and mute, he wants tu tell us about our own deafness and dumbfoundedness. God gave us our senses to be used for His sake. When we are baptised we get the word EFFATA – we already can hear and speak, but that word has its special meaning: we shall be open to the words coming from our neighbor, our friend, from a person we do not even know – that is it, what is told us – listen, have an open ear for the person near us that is suffering, panting for a humble word, for a soft touch, for something that cannot be bought in the shop but comes from inside our heart. When someone tells me that “he is so sad about the poor beggar that he cannot even look to him and has to pass by rapidly” – I wonder what kind of person he is – surely not a christian, because Jesus gives us the example not to turn one´s back on the poor men. Sometimes we are so busy with our own mini-problems that we cannot see our nearest neighbour. When we hold our ears open we can feel that in many cases some friendly words can make a big difference for someone. Remember the word EFFATA more often!! When You say: Amen or Halleluja, say also Effata!!