By Rev. Canon David b. Tabo-oy
…v28″Sir,” she answered, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s leftovers!”
v29So Jesus said to her, “Because of that answer, go back home, where you will find that the demon has gone out of your daughter!”v30She went home and found her child lying on the bed; the demon had indeed gone out of her.
…34Then Jesus looked up to heaven, gave a deep groan, and said to the man, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Open up!”v35At once the man was able to hear, his speech impediment was removed, and he began to talk without any trouble. v36Then Jesus ordered the people not to speak of it to anyone; but the more he ordered them not to, the more they told it. v37And all who heard were completely amazed. “How well he does everything!” they exclaimed. “He even causes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak!”
(Read: Mark 7:24-37)
The gospel appointed this Sunday in Mark 7:24-37 tells us of Jesus leaving Galilee and travels in a gentile territory. He encounters a Syrophoenician woman whose faith leads him to change his mind about healing her daughter. Returning to the Sea of Galilee through the region of Decapolis, Jesus heals a man unable to hear or speak. Jesus Christ is known for performing countless miracles during His time on earth. These miracles were not only intended to display His divine power, but also to heal and bring hope to the people around Him. While some people believe that Jesus performed exactly 40 miracles during His time on earth, the exact number is not explicitly stated in the Bible. However, we do know that Jesus performed many miraculous works throughout His ministry, and that these miracles had a profound impact on the people who witnessed them. Healing various diseases and conditions dominates the miraculous acts performed by Jesus. The miracles of Jesus, particularly healing, are a testament to His divine power and love for all people. By exploring these miracles and understanding their significance, we can deepen our faith and find hope and comfort in the wonders of Christ.
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Faith is the most important catalyst in all of Jesus’ miraculous healing. The faith of the Syrophoenician woman expressed in her persistence brought healing to her evil spirit-possessed daughter. The collective faith of those who brought the deaf mute before Jesus has healed the man from his disabilities. The phrase “Your faith has made you well” has resonated throughout history, embodying the profound connection between faith and healing. These words, often attributed to Jesus Christ in the New Testament, highlight the enduring belief that one’s faith can be a catalyst for physical and emotional healing. While this concept is deeply rooted in religious traditions, it also extends to the broader understanding of the mind-body connection and its role in overall well-being.
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Harnessing Faith for Healing
While faith alone may not be a substitute for medical treatment, it can complement traditional therapies and contribute to overall well-being. Here are some ways in which faith can be harnessed for healing:1. Positive Visualization: Faith often involves visualizing positive outcomes. By envisioning a state of health and well-being, individuals can reduce anxiety and stress, which can, in turn, support the healing process.2. Emotional Resilience: Faith can provide emotional strength and resilience during challenging times. This emotional support can help individuals cope with illness more effectively and maintain a positive outlook.3. Community and Support: Many faith communities offer a strong support system, providing individuals with a sense of belonging and emotional support during times of illness.
4. Prayer and Meditation: Spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation can promote relaxation and reduce stress, which can positively impact physical health.5. Holistic Health: Faith can encourage individuals to consider their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being as interconnected. This holistic approach to health can lead to healthier lifestyle choices.
The phrase “Your faith has made you well” encapsulates the enduring belief in the power of faith to promote healing and well-being. Whether rooted in religious traditions or supported by scientific evidence, the connection between faith and healing is a profound and timeless concept. While faith alone may not be a substitute for medical treatment, it can play a vital role in complementing traditional therapies and promoting overall well-being. Whether through positive visualization, emotional resilience, or community support, faith has the potential to contribute positively to the healing process. In a world where healing is often seen through a purely medical lens, it’s essential to recognize and harness the healing power of faith in all its forms. (Kate Strong, https://medium.com/change-your-mind/your-faith-has-made-you-well-the-power-of-belief-in-healing)
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The healing of the deaf mute in our story also brings us to a realization and deeper spiritual pondering. We take for granted our ability to hear and speak, but both gifts are meant for a purpose even greater than human communication. They are also our means of listening to God and speaking his word. This is something we should never forget. What we heard and what we say determine to a great extent what we do and they make us the persons we are. This is an occasion to express our concern and care for those who live lonely lives on the margins of society because of hearing and speech handicaps. Desmon Knowles wrote, “It is good to remember that the deaf mute is not an historical figure from the first century Israel. He resembles the whole human race. His plight is ours in so far as we refuse to listen to what God is saying to us and act upon it. We all need the healing hand of Christ to make us hear and speak the message of God properly.”
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Jesus is the one who can remove deafness and dumbness from our being so that we can make full use of these faculties. Is it possible that we are like this man because of our refusal to give to a listening ear to the lonely, the troubled and the worried? How many times have we failed to utter a word of encouragement, of hope and thanks, or have kept a discreet silence when we should have spoken the truth? Then there are the problems we have in speaking to our partner or neighbors, because of a long standing row or simply out of jealousy, envy or pride.
Sometimes communities of people will not hear the plea for help from poor neighbors. One of the greatest challenges to people trying to raise an issue on a national level is getting heard, breaking through the indifference of the news media, the politician’s agendas for re-election. Yet our protests are in a way perhaps like the prayer of Jesus praying for the deaf man, praying for all who are deaf to families and neighbors, “Ephphatha!” a plea that ears be opened.
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Who are the people around you at home or at work or school that you do not hear? Are there friends in your life trying to get you to listen to something you don’t want to hear? Do you pray for Jesus to open your ears, clear your mouth, and restore you to community where there are ever-expanding circles of friends–and no outcasts? Let our faith and scripture bring us to these realization: Jesus brings healing to our physical and spiritual disabilities, our dumbness and deafness. Healing brings us to see the suffering and needs of those around us and we are moved to speak when our voice is needed to proclaim the truth. “Ephphatha!” let our ears and mouth be opened!
Let us pray.
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you
always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so
you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 18 Collect, BCP)**
