BE OPENED!

In the readings of today, we hear Genesis 3:7 and Mark 7, 31-37 and about two very different situations, where ‘openness’ occurs.

In the first reading, Adam and Eve eat of the forbidden fruit.  “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked….”  This disobedience of Adam and Eve opened the way to original sin.  They opened the way for the tendency of sin, which is inherent in each one of us.  Disobedience in every shape and form was born.

In the Gospel of Mark 7, 31-37, a deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to Jesus.  Jesus takes the man aside.  “He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue;  then He looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to (the man), “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be Opened!”)  And [immediately] the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly…the more he (Jesus) ordered them not to (tell anyone), the more they proclaimed it…He has done all things well.”  The people could not keep more proclaiming the wonders that Jesus was performing.  Jesus, again, is opening the way for non-Jews to accept his Word and follow him.  Remember that our Lord tells his disciples to go and teach to all nations.

Are we opened to the Word of God?  Are we opened to proclaim the Word to our fellow men?  Or, are we to continue to follow in the footsteps of our first parents and give in to the sinful tendency of our souls?

As baptized members of the Body of Christ, we are to evangelize to all the Good News!

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit give me a willing heart to do your will.  Help me to not be embarrassed to speak boldly about you.  Amen.