In today's Gospel passage, Jesus traveled into pagan Gentile territory, "into the district of the Ten Cities" (Mk 7:31). "Some people brought Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Him to lay His hand on him" (Mk 7:32). These Gentiles had faith similar to the Jewish stretcher-bearers who broke through a roof and brought a paralytic to Jesus for healing (Lk 5:18-19). How did these pagan Gentiles come to have such faith?
Earlier in Mark's Gospel, Jesus had driven a large number of demons out of a man (Mk 5:2-13). Jesus had told him to go home and proclaim God's mercy to his family (Mk 5:19). The healed man then witnessed not only to his family and hometown, but also "went off and began to proclaim throughout the Ten Cities what Jesus had done for him" (Mk 5:20). These people "were all amazed at what they heard" (Mk 5:20).
When Jesus drove out the "Legion" of demons from the demoniac (Mk 5:9), the healed man asked Jesus if he could follow Him (Mk 5:18). "Jesus did not grant his request, but told him instead: ‘Go home to your family and make it clear to them how much the Lord in His mercy has done for you' " (Mk 5:19). His obedient witnessing prepared the Ten Cities for the later healing of the deaf and mute man.
The Lord may assign to you a task you don't prefer. Will you obey Him regardless? As He did in the Ten Cities, God can use your obedience in ways you cannot foresee.
| PRAYER: | Father, "not my will but Yours be done" (Lk 22:42). Use me in any way You choose. |
| PROMISE: | "He has done everything well! He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." –Mk 7:37 |
| PRAISE: | Robert, a young man, made a decision to put his past behind him, put his life in God's hands, and live in the newness of each day (see Phil 3:13; Lam 3:23). |
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