And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
How is our speech? Do we speak up for the LORD? Do we say only things which are good and helpful for building up others (see Ephesians 4:29)? Or do we use our mouths for gossip and slander? Do we use them to judge others rather than to show mercy? We have a speech impediment that is more serious than the man in the gospel reading. Even so, the LORD offers us the same mercy.
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 him,
"Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!")
First our ears are opened so that we can hear. Then our mouths are opened so we can speak. Jesus asks the crowd not to announce that particular miracle. But he asks the opposite from us. We are to shout this healing from the mountains. People will be amazed at the newfound freedom we have. They will see us and say of Jesus, "He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Listening to the LORD is our guarantee of unity and peace. It prevents our lives from becoming divided kingdoms. In the face of the forces set against us it is our only power and authority. In order not to collapse entirely we need the integrity that comes from hearing God's word, speaking it, and living it. We don't have to look far to find it. Because "the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it" (see Deuteronomy 30:14).
All that is asked of us is to listen with faith.
"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."
And even the listening and the faith is a gift freely given.
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