Sunday Gospel Reflection
He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak

Introduction:

Shortcomings and Faith

What kinds of shortcomings do people have? How do those shortcomings challenge people to grow?

We all have 'em. Shortcomings. They can be physical, emotional, moral, behavioral, or mental. Most of us have several shortcomings. Some of these shortcomings are real. Others are imagined (they're only "real" when we compare them to other people). No matter. We will obsess, deny, rationalize them. And we'll spent real money for relief from them. We'll do anything to alleviate them, to be free of them.

Sometimes we call these shortcomings our "demons." In the time of Jesus, the ancients equated many of these shortcomings to demonic possession. Jesus freed a man from a real shortcoming, a demon, but did more than heal him. He allowed the man to hear and speak the truth.

First Reading
Isaiah 35:4-7

4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.  He will come and save you."
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the  deaf unstopped;
6 then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.   For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

Second Reading
James 2:1-5
1 My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2 For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
3 and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "Have a seat here, please," while you say to the poor man, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet,"
4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?       
5 Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?

Gospel Reading
Mark 7:31-37

31 After Jesus left the town of Tyre, he traveled through the town of Sidon to Lake Galilee, right through the area of the Ten Cities.
32 There, the people brought Jesus a man who could not hear and who could barely speak.
33 After Jesus took the man away so the two of them could be alone, he put his fingers into the man's ears. Then, after Jesus spit, he touched the man's tongue.
34 Finally, Jesus looked to heaven, groaned, and said to the man, "Open up!"
35 Now the man could hear, his speech problem was gone, and he could speak clearly.
36 "Don't talk about what just happened," Jesus commanded the people. But the more he commanded, the more they people talked about it with everyone they saw.
37 They were so surprised that they kept saying, "Jesus does everything well! He even heals those who can't hear and those can't speak!"

Bible Study/Meditation

Like the man in this week's Gospel reading many of us have a similar malady. Though we do not have a physical impediment of speech and hearing we are tuned out to the spiritual realm which exists around us. Though we can see evidence of God's handiwork around us we are deaf to the Spirit's explanation, and possess lips that are silent rather than expressing appreciation and gratitude. Though we pray, and God answers, we are oblivious to the fact that what has transpired comes from him. Subconsciously we attribute the things in our life to our goodness, good science, or to good luck. We have been trained by the world to discount God's influence in the world. However, the world cannot be given all the credit or all the blame for our spiritual malady, since most often we have under-girded the world's influence by practicing ingratitude.

If there is a desire to see and experience the miraculous in our lives we need to appeal to Jesus to open our spiritual senses to recognize the Spirit, and spiritual realities in the midst of our world. As he does this, and he surely will if we ask it of him, we need to cooperate with him by reflecting on what is happening around and to and through us. This awareness of the miraculous can be cultivated through the attitude and practice of thanksgiving. It is in expressing gratitude and thanks
to God that we recognize and recall the incidences of our lives where he has been active. It is in expressing gratitude and thanks that we attribute to God, his rightful due. It is in expressing gratitude and thanks that we find the confidence to believe God for even greater miracles in our lives.

Reflections:

· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you and what inner message of the heart is the Spirit whispering to you?

. Sometimes our shortcomings are spiritual. We are people of faith, but our spiritual focus is upon the self. Many times we struggle between our immature "needs" and a real exercise in the Spirit's gifts. These shortcomings can lead us to discouragement ("church does not fulfill my needs anymore"). Or they can challenge us to grow. Through growth, we begin to listen and understand. Then, we can speak clearly. Our ears are no longer blocked. Our tongue is no longer held bound. Despite our shortcoming, Jesus will touch and call to us. And he will use these shortcomings to lead us to greater faith.
   ------Reflect on your own shortcomings. How do they affect your spiritual life? How do they challenge you to redouble your efforts in prayer and service?

. What are yours shortcomings? How has Jesus touched you, healed you, and liberated you from those shortcomings?

. The Lord treats each of us with kindness and compassion and he calls us to treat one another in like kind. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves. 
   -----Do you love others and treat them with considerateness as Jesus did?

.Do people see in you a reflection of Jesus' love and freedom?

.How have you or someone you know experienced a unique healing touch from Jesus?

.What areas of hearing and speaking would you like the Lord to touch and heal in your life?

.How do you feel about the presence or absence of the miraculous in your life?

Prayer

Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with love and compassion.   Make me attentive to the needs of others that I may show them kindness and care. Make me an instrument of your mercy and peace that I may help others find healing and wholeness in you.