Isaiah speaks of the coming of the Lord and gives certain effects that can serve as markers for when that coming has occurred: the blind will see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the dumb speak. That is, senses will be restored. Jesus fulfilled these in his healing ministry.
The coming that Isaiah mentions has a purpose, which isn’t to restore the senses just mentioned: it is to save, through retribution, that is through justice. Do we often look at Jesus’ cross through the lens of justice?
Psalm: Psalm 145(146):7-10
This psalm, taken together with Isaiah above, forms part of an extensive patchwork of hints that the Old Testament provides for discerning the Lord’s coming. These bolster the biblical argument, later fleshed out in the early centuries of the Church, for seeing Jesus as divine.
This psalm is punctuated again and again with the phrase: “It is the Lord who…”. It’s a psalm focused on him and who he is displayed through what he does. It prompts us to move beyond admiration for the gifts received, to praise the giver (as the refrain highlights).
Second Reading: James 2:1-5
James’ treatment of riches and poverty is often a challenge to us today, as it was in his own day. Are our churches places where we welcome people of all socio-economic backgrounds? Do we subtly judge people based on how they present themselves at church?
James, as always, is concerned not just about outward actions, but our inner thoughts as well. This is a challenge to us, how often do our thoughts betray the real condition of our hearts?
We’re also told that God chose the poor to be rich in faith; we might think here of figures such as St. Francis of Assisi, as indeed of all religious who take vows of poverty in order to serve the Lord in a special way.
Gospel: Mark 7:31-37
The Decapolis was a Greek speaking region just to the east of Galilee. Aramaic was probably also spoken there among the smaller Jewish population, as well as for trade, but the culture and language was primarily Hellenistic.
The Greeks had a long tradition of magicians, and there is evidence that they absorbed some of the traditions of Egypt in that regard, since Egypt came under Greek influence and rule. These magicians would be hired to heal or perform some other task by undertaking rituals. These rituals involved materials, gestures, and secret languages. Jesus, though, astonished the people by eschewing that; performing simple physical gestures and speaking a single word in a known language (Aramaic), to achieve full healing for the deaf man. What does this tell us about Jesus, and about our own relationships with him?
We have here another example of the Markan secret, where Jesus orders secrecy surrounding his identity and miracles. Why might that be? What can we learn from that today?
Sapling:
The pithiest, most impactful homily I’ve ever heard was preached on this passage several years ago. It centred on the end of today’s gospel: “He has done all things well”.
The priest sat down after reading the gospel and was silent for a few moments. Then he chuckled and shook his head.
“He does all things well. Well, of course he does, he’s God! What else did you expect?”
That homily has stayed with me not only because it was unbelievably short, but because it drove home the message of the passage so directly and memorably. I’ve never forgotten it, and hopefully never will.
I’m reluctant to expand on this much, because I’d like to retain the impact of that line and that story, but I’ll risk just a few more words.
Jesus demonstrated his care and compassion in a concrete way, which flagged to his hearers that he was someone unique. They were used to travelling healers; they usually employed elaborate rituals, secret languages, and I would imagine often failed to deliver results.
Instead, Jesus used a simple physical action and a single Aramaic word.
Jesus is unique. Why? Because he’s God!
When he set about to do something: to heal the sick, to cast out demons, to win salvation for the whole world – he does it, he gets results. Why? Because he’s God!
What else should we expect?
Fruit:
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1421, the Sacraments of Healing
Catechism of the Catholic Church 464-469, Jesus as true God and true man
