20240908 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings at USCCB.org

Gospel: Mark 7: 31-37

“Be opened!” Jesus commands in this weeks Gospel.  He restores a man’s hearing and gives him the power to speak.  I wonder what exactly the man heard after that.  I bet he heard the sighs of lonely people who need, and wanted, his time…I hope he stopped and sat with them.  I bet he heard the pleas of hunger from poor people…I hope he stopped and fed them.  I bet he heard the cries of people who were rejected or suffering…I hope he stopped and embraced them.

Many people in our own families, our schools, our jobs, and our world need our ears opened.

Many don’t want our advice.  They just want us to listen without judgement while they talk about what hurts.  Others need us to stand up with and for them at school, at Church, or in our community.  They need us to listen closely to understand their problems.  Others, like parents and mentors, are trying to offer advice for life.  They need us to listen to their wisdom without getting defensive.

Do we hear the cries or advice as we go through life?  Or do we rush so quickly that we miss them?  This week, each day, ask Jesus to open your ears so you can listen closely.  People will come across your path who need you to listen, or to whom you need to listen.  The next step is…how will I respond?

--Jim