Today we can spread the message of Christ and build the Kingdom of God
Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 9, 2018): IS 35:4-7; PS 146:6-7,8-9,9-10; JAS 2:1-5; MK 7:31-37
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
In the Gospel for today, Jesus goes into an area called the Decapolis where some people bring a man to Him who can neither hear nor speak.
Christ draws aside, touches the man’s ears and tongue and prays that they be opened – and they were. Yet although Jesus is happy to heal this man who has suffered so much, He still does not want the crowd to spread the word about this miracle. “He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, ‘He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak’” (Mark 7:36-37). Christ knows that more and more people are thinking of Him as the Messiah, but without knowing who or what the true Messiah will be to the world.
Jesus spent His public ministry proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven. Many Jews thought that the long-awaited Messiah would lead them in overthrowing the Romans and reclaiming their own land. However, the Son of God loved Jews and Gentiles and claimed them for Himself – through the sacrifice of His own life. Our Redeemer calls us to victory, not over human enemies, but over sin and death. Christ asks us to follow Him by being like Him as people of faith, hope and, above all, love. Now it is our turn to embrace the One who “makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” by listening to all He says to us and sharing it with others – through our words and deeds.
