The Healing of a Deaf-Mute

Gospel Mk 7:31-37

Healing of deaf man

Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him:

-- Ephphatha!

(which means “Be opened!”):

At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement and said:

"He has done everything well: He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

QUESTIONS AND POINTS FOR REFLECTION

1.- The Isolation of the Deaf-Mute: The deaf-mute lived closed in his own world, unable to communicate well or listen to others. What "deafness" do you think affects young people today (selfishness, screen addiction, indifference)? What prevents us from truly listening to what God is saying to us?
2.- The Gesture of Ephphatha ("Be Opened"): Jesus touches the ears and the tongue of the man and says: "Be opened." With the sacrament of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit comes to "open us." Are you willing to ask God to open your heart to better understand the Gospel and to be more sensitive to the needs of those around you?
3.- The Importance of Silence and Listening: Before being able to speak correctly, the man had to be cured of deafness. In your Christian life, do you dedicate enough time to listening (prayer, reading the Bible, advice from wise people) before speaking or acting? Why is it so important to "listen to God" before being His witnesses?
4.- Personal Relationship with Jesus: The text says that Jesus "took him aside, away from the crowd." Faith is not just following a family or group tradition, but having a personal encounter with Christ. How do you care for this space "aside" with Jesus in your daily life?
5.- Proclaiming the Wonders of God: Once healed, the people could not stop talking about what Jesus had done: "He has done everything well." Confirmation turns you into "apostles." In what way do you think you can "speak well" of God through your actions and words in your school, at home, or with your friends?