The healing of a deaf man

JESUS left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Him to lay His hand on Him. He took Him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 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.”

REFLECTION THEY WERE EXCEEDINGLY ASTONISHED. The fame of Jesus has spread into pagan territory. In the Decapolis, people bring a deaf-mute to Him for healing.

The method of the healing is typical of the time, involving a gradual process: Jesus takes the man aside, puts His finger into the man’s ears, spits, touches his tongue, looks up to heaven, sighs, and commands, “Ephphatha! (Be opened!)” Immediately the man’s ears are opened, his speech impediment is removed, and he speaks clearly. The people’s reaction is one of astonishment.

The physical healing represents the ability to hear and see spiritually, which is given to those who believe in Jesus.

“Oh, Lord, open my ears, and my heart, to receive Your message of love for me, for my brothers and sisters… Make me alert, attentive, sensitive to the invitations, requests, cries that surround me. Help me hear what You desire me to hear” (Andy Alexander, SJ).

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.