Ephphatha

Last Sunday we experienced a very heartwarming sacred celebration of the baptism of a baby at our Sunday morning Mass. As part of the rite, the priest touched the ear and mouth of the baby asking God to open her ear to hear the Gospel and her mouth to proclaim the Gospel. It was very moving as just a few minutes earlier, this week’s Gospel Mark 7: 31-37 proclaimed the words ‘(Jesus) looking up to heaven, sighed and said to the deaf man ‘Ephphatha’ that is, ‘Be Opened’. And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.’

Over the centuries, the theological interpretations of the ‘Ephphatha’ command point to a profound spiritual meaning beyond the physical healing—a call for the opening of the heart and mind to God’s grace. Most recently, Pope Benedict XVI interprets it as an invitation to Christians to open their hearts to Christ, to hear His word, and to proclaim it with their mouths.

The joy of witnessing this sacramental moment last Sunday served as a powerful reflection on our own journeys, reminding us that we, too, are constantly being invited by Christ to be ‘opened’ to His love and to share it with the world.

When I combine this thought with yesterday’s post of the intimacy of Jesus method of healing the deaf man, I am experiencing Jesus’ call as one of tenderly opening ourselves to the intimacy of Jesus. He calls each of us to draw close, heart to heart, breath to breath. The words ‘Be opened’ are a call for our hearts to awaken, to hear a beloved’s voice, and to proclaim it with the passion of one whose soul has been set ablaze.

Friends, perhaps the burdens of life have weighed heavily upon your heart, causing you to close it off in fear of being hurt again. Maybe there are places deep within, sealed shut for protection, like wounds hidden away, afraid to heal. But today, hear the gentle voice of Jesus whispering ‘Ephphatha’—be opened. This is not a command to expose yourself recklessly but an invitation to risk the beauty of vulnerability.

It is an assurance that in opening your heart, you will not be left to face the pain alone. Christ, who understands every sorrow, offers His own heart as shelter. His call to openness is not a call to weakness, but to trust, to let His love enter the places where you’ve long been afraid to go.

And as you open, like the flowers to the sun’s warmth, you will find not only healing but the freedom to love and be loved in ways you never thought possible.

Friends, I have reworked my webpage to better express my unfolding understanding of my online ministry. Please visit at the link below and give me your feedback.

Webpage LINK

https://payhip.com/DeaconHilaryBengochea