Ahijah prophesied that the kingdom of Israel would be torn into twelve pieces. Is your life torn to shreds, ripped in pieces, tattered, or frayed? If you used a coat to symbolize your life, in what condition would the coat be?
Are you spiritually deaf with a speech impediment as was the man in today's Gospel reading? (Mk 7:32) Is your physical condition representative of your spiritual condition?
If your life is torn to shreds, if you're in bad shape, come to Jesus. He will simply command you: " 'Ephphatha!' (that is, 'Be opened!')" (Mk 7:34) The Lord has already provided for our salvation, healing, deliverance, power, and peace by His death and Resurrection. He loves us infinitely. He cannot love us more. We are perfectly loved, and we would know and experience this (Eph 3:18-19), if we were only open.
Be opened to repentance, to giving and receiving forgiveness. Be opened to God's grace, His callings, and eternal life. Jesus' side was opened (Jn 19:34). Jesus' heart is open. The gates of heaven are open. Be opened!
| PRAYER: | Father, may I open my heart (2 Cor 6:13) to the calling I have most resisted in my life. |
| PROMISE: | "He has done everything well! He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!" –Mk 7:37 |
| PRAISE: | St. Scholastica had complete trust in God's love. She saw Him answer her heartfelt prayer in an amazing way, as God allowed her to spend an unplanned evening with her brother the night before he died. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College