FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Parishioners,
What does it mean to be open? Today, it could mean different things to different people. For us, Roman Catholics, I believe, being open suggests being open to God leading us to places or to people we would not go to on our own. Jesus’ healing work often involves opening what is closed. Here in the gospel, it is ears and tongue that are closed. Closed to music and laughter, closed to conversations and communicating. Jesus opens these, enabling the man to hear and to speak. By doing this, the man can more fully enter life around him. Jesus opens many other closures, too. Sometimes it is spiritual blindness, opening the eyes of our hearts through His teaching and preaching. Doors can be closed, and Jesus opens them, offering a way where there was none before. Hearts can be closed, unable to change or grow or connect, and Jesus can open them, willing us into life that is deeper and fuller.
Jesus does not tell the man He heals to “speak” or “hear”; He tells him to “BE OPEN!” Perhaps Jesus is telling him and us to be more open and receptive to a world transformed by the Son of God. Perhaps Jesus is calling on the man and us to be more open to faith. By repeating the word that Jesus actually spoke, St. Mark may want his audience-then and now-to feel like Jesus is speaking to directly to them & to us.
We may not be literally deaf, but are we deaf to God’s word? Do we hear Jesus tell us to carry our crosses, but do not change the way we live? Do we hear Jesus ask us to care for our less fortunate brethren, but do not take it to heart? Let our mind, ears, mouth and heart be open to God and the world around us. Let our actions speak for us and be the hands and heart of Jesus on this earth. Let us open ourselves to Christ’s challenging message and proclaim it with words and actions.
Peace,
Fr. Monteleone
To read the complete bulletin click here
