They Asked JESUS To Lay HIS Hand Upon A Deaf And Dumb Man

 "Again, JESUS set out: from the country of Tyre HE passed through Sidon and, skirting the sea of Galilee, HE came to the territory of Decapolis.  There, a deaf man, who also had difficulty in speaking, was brought to HIM.  They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him.

JESUS took him apart from the crowd, put HIS fingers into the man's ears, and touched his tongue with spittle.  Then, looking up to heaven, HE said with a deep sigh, 'Ephphata!' that is, 'Be opened!'

And immediately, his ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak clearly.  JESUS ordered them not to tell anyone about it; but the more he insisted, the more they proclaimed it.  The people were completely astonished and said, 'HE has done all things well; HE makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.'" - Mark 7:31-37 

(They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him.  This was a way of invoking divine power but JESUS did not have to ask.  By HIS gesture HE showed that HE had within HIMSELF, within HIS human person, all the health and welfare that we need, and HE communicated this to the sick one.)

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The Faith Of The Syrophoenician

 "When JESUS left that place, HE went to the border of the Tyrian country.  There, HE entered a house, and did not want anyone to know HE was there; but HE could not remain hidden.  A woman, whose small daughter had an evil spirit, heard of HIM, and came and fell at HIS feet.  Now this woman was a pagan, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged HIM to drive the demon out of her daughter.

JESUS told her, 'Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the puppies.'  But she replied, 'Sir, even the puppies under the table eat the crumbs from the children's bread.'  Then JESUS said to her, 'You may go your way; because of such a response, the demon has gone out of your daughter.'  And when the woman went home, she found her child lying in bed, and the demon gone." - Mark 7:24-30 

(Although JESUS came to save all, HIS FATHER desired that HE does not go beyond HIS own country.  Nevertheless, on certain occasions HE encountered pagans, and more than once admired their simplicity and faith.

The Jews usually looked down on pagans with marked contempt: they were the sons; the pagans were the dogs.  JESUS answered the afflicted woman repeating this well-known scornful saying.  HE said this to test the woman's faith: would she insist when it appeared that even GOD would reject her?)

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Clean And Unclean

 "JESUS then called the people to HIM again and said to them, 'Listen to ME, all of you, and try to understand.  Nothing that enters a person from the outside can make that person unclean.  It is what comes from within that makes a person unclean.  Let everyone who has ears listen.'

When JESUS got home and was away from the crowd, HIS disciples asked HIM about this saying, and HE replied, 'So even you are dull?  Do you not see that whatever comes from outside cannot make a person unclean, since it enters not the heart but the stomach, and is finally passed out?'

Thus, JESUS declared that all foods are clean.

And HE went on, 'What comes out of a person is what defiles him, for evil designs come out of the heart: theft, murder, adultery, jealousy, greed, maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly.  All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.'" - Mark 7:14-23 

(An important practice of Judaism was to keep oneself clean: one could not participate in worship without being in a state of ritual purity.  This word "purity" did not have the same meaning we give it today.  The clean person was one who was not contaminated even inadvertently by things prohibited by law.  For example, pork and rabbit were considered unclean; they could not be eaten.  A menstruating woman or a person with hemorrhoids were considered unclean for a certain number of days: no one could even touch them.  A leper was considered unclean until cured.  If a bug fell in oil, the oil was considered unclean, and would have to be thrown away.

If contaminated even by no fault of his own, the person had to purify himself, usually with water, sometimes paying for sacrifices.

At one time, these laws were useful in encouraging a hygienic lifestyle.  They also protected the faith of the Jews who lived among people who did not know GOD.  With so many religious practices to observe, the Jews had to live apart from those who did not share their faith and lifestyle.

JESUS removes off from these rites sacred value: nothing is unclean in all GOD's creation: touching the sick, a corpse or a bloodstained object does not offend GOD.  GOD is not bothered if we eat this or that.  Sin is always something that comes from the heart and not something we do unintentionally.)

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Man The Viceroy Of GOD

 "When I observe the heavens,

the work of YOUR hands,

the moon, and the stars YOU set in their place--

what is man, that YOU be mindful of him;

the son of man, that YOU should care for him?

Yet YOU made him a little less than a god;

YOU crowned with glory and honor

and gave him the works of YOUR hands;

YOU have put all things under his feet--

sheep and oxen without number,

and even the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,

and all that swim the paths of the ocean."

- Psalm 8:4-9

(This psalm is a lyrical reflection on the making and endowment of man: 'Let us make man in OUR own image... let him have dominion over the fish, the birds, the beasts' [Genesis 1:26].  He is little less than a god because he has a share in GOD's dominion.  He is much greater than the stars because, child though he is before the Eternal GOD, he has a voice for praise.

Wherever there is a human being, he or she is tenderly cared for by GOD.  This psalm can be sung as a celebration of human dignity and divine greatness.)

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GOD's Boundless Care For HIS Creation

 "Praise YAHWEH, my soul!

Clothed in majesty and splendor;

O YAHWEH, my GOD, how great YOU are!

YOU are wrapped in light as with a garment;

YOU stretched out the heavens like a tent,

YOU set the earth on its foundations,

and never will it be shaken.

YOU covered it with the ocean like a garment,

and waters spread over the mountains.

YOU make springs gush forth in valleys,

winding among mountains and hills,

Birds build their nests close by,

and sing among the branches of trees.

How varied O YAHWEH, are YOUR works!

In wisdom YOU have made them all--

the earth, full of YOUR creatures.

May sinners vanish from the earth,

and may the wicked be no more.

Praise YAHWEH, my soul!"

- Psalm 104:1-2. 5-6. 10. 12. 24. 35

(The psalmist marvels at the wonders that GOD has created and how they live in absolute harmony.  He reassuringly confirms that GOD is in charge, and we have nothing to worry about.  In fact, JESUS has told us repeatedly not to worry and sites as examples, 'Look at the birds in the air' [Matthew 6:26] and 'Look at the flowers in the fields' [Matthew 6:28].

All JESUS asks from us is to have faith--even faith, as little as a mustard seed.  If only we could be filled with faith, we will be able to create wonders ourselves and allow miracles to be performed in our lives.

It is a good psalm for this time of ecological sensitivity, in which we live.)

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Your Light Will Break Forth As The Dawn

 "Fast by sharing your food with the hungry,

bring to your house the homeless,

clothe the one you see naked

and do not turn away from your own kin.

Then will your light break forth as the dawn

and your healing come in a flash.

Your righteousness will be your vanguard,

the glory of YAHWEH your rearguard.

Then you will call, and YAHWEH will answer,

you will cry and HE will say, I AM here.

If you remove from your midst the yoke,

the clenched fist and the wicked word,

if you share your food with the hungry

and give relief to the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the dark,

your night will be like noon."

- Isaiah 58:7-10

(Your light will break forth as the dawn.  We see the leaders of the nations' come together, discuss and study in order to solve the urgent problems of humanity.  No light breaks forth.  It is a known fact that the research of a scientist does not bring him directly to great discoveries.  Rather, he often finds the solution suddenly where he did not expect it.  In the same way, human problems resist theoretical solutions, but unexpected ways will be found when every nation and every segment of society willingly shares and no longer oppresses others.)

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They Were Like Sheep Without A Shepherd

 "The apostles returned and reported to JESUS all they had done and taught.  Then HE said to them, 'Let us go off by ourselves into a remote place and have some rest.'  For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.  And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.

But people saw them leaving, and many could guess where they were going.  So, from all the towns, they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them.

As JESUS went ashore, HE saw a large crowd, and HE had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.  And HE began to teach them many things." - Matthew 6:30-34 

(They were like sheep without a shepherd [Numbers 27:17; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 11:4-17; 12:8].  This refers to people who had not yet found true community, and JESUS had pity on them.  The prophet Ezekiel reproached the leaders of Israel for being bad pastors, but today he might reproach us for failing to be pastors and prophets in the midst of our world.  Why should we so often wait for priests, religious or a few handpicked lay people to take the initiative of assembling new communities?  Why are we so timid in proposing to "those who are outside" the light of faith that we have gratuitously received and allow them to discover in the group or community this richness?)

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Faith Is Great, But It Is Lived In The Little Things Of Daily Life

 "Let mutual love continue.  Do not neglect to offer hospitality; you know that some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  Remember prisoners, as if you were with them in chains, and the same for those who are suffering.  Remember, that you also have a body.

Marriage must be respected by all, and husband and wife, faithful to each other.  GOD will punish the immoral and the adulterous.

Do not depend on money.  Be content with having enough for today, for GOD has said: I will never forsake you or abandon you, and we shall confidently answer: The LORD is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?  Remember your leaders, who taught you the word of GOD.  Consider their end and imitate their faith.  CHRIST JESUS is the same today, as yesterday, and forever." - Hebrews 13:1-8 

(Faith is great, but it is lived in the little things of daily life.  The persecuted people to whom this letter is addressed need not undertake new tasks.  They will manifest their faith through an upright and generous life.  They will also have to accept their situation of being marginalized, sharing the shame of CHRIST.)

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I Send MY Messenger To Prepare The Way

 "Now I AM sending MY messenger ahead of ME, to clear the way; then, suddenly, the LORD, for whom you long, will enter the Sanctuary.  The envoy of the Covenant which you so greatly desire, already comes, says YAHWEH of hosts.  Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears?  For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.

He will be as a refiner or a fuller.  He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them, like gold and silver.  So, YAHWEH will have priests who will present the offering as it should be.  Then YAHWEH will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days." - Malachi 3:1-4 

(Now I AM sending MY messenger.  To those complaining that GOD does not reveal HIS justice, nor reward sufficiently those who serve HIM, Malachi responds by declaring that the LORD will come soon.  He announces the coming of a messenger of GOD who will be responsible for preparing the way for HIM, and that will be the sign of HIS coming soon. 

Paragraphs 3:1-2 and 4:22-24 complement each other and point to John the Baptist.  The Gospel will recall them in Luke 1:17; 7:27; John 3:22. Also, see Mark 9:11.)

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Accept The Correction Of The LORD

 "Do not forget the comforting words that Wisdom addresses to you as children: My son, pay attention when the LORD corrects you and do not be discouraged when HE punishes you.  For the LORD corrects those HE loves and chastises everyone HE accepts as a son.

What you endure, is in order to correct you.  GOD treats you like sons, and what son is not corrected by his father?

All correction is painful at the moment, rather than pleasant; later, it brings the fruit of peace, that is, holiness, to those who have been trained by it.

Lift up, then, your drooping hands, and strengthen your trembling knees; make level the ways for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but healed.

Strive for peace with all, and strive to be holy, for without holiness, no one will see the LORD.

See that no one falls from the grace of GOD, lest a bitter plant spring up and its poison corrupt many among you." - Hebrews 12:5-7. 11-15 

(After this long invitation to live by faith, the author intends to deal with more practical matters.  In fact, he immediately returns to the exceptional gift that is faith in CHRIST.  He reminds his readers of what they experienced in baptism when they received the gifts of the Spirit.)

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