Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Peace of Christ Jesus be with you all
Today, the Holy Mother
Church celebrates the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, apostles to the
Slavs. On this occasion we meditate on the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus performs
a miracle that carries a deep spiritual meaning for our lives: the healing of
the deaf and mute man.
The Geography of
Salvation: Why So Many Places?
St. Mark gives us a map
of grace, naming the places involved in Jesus’ mission: Tyre, Sidon, the Sea
of Galilee, and the Decapolis. Why such specificity? These locations are
not random; they reveal something profound about Jesus’ mission.
- Tyre and Sidon were historically pagan lands,
often at odds with Israel, places of idolatry and foreign gods. Yet, Jesus
had just been there, showing that salvation is not confined to Israel
alone, it is for all nations.
- The Sea of Galilee represents the familiar ground
of Jesus' ministry, a place where Jews and Gentiles coexisted, a bridge
between the chosen people and the nations.
- The Decapolis (meaning “Ten Cities”) was a
region deeply influenced by Greek culture, a place where Hellenistic
thought and pagan worship dominated.
By mentioning all these
places, St. Mark is showing us that Jesus is weaving through both Jewish and
Gentile territories, bringing the Good News to all people. The healing
of the deaf man is not just a private act of kindness, it is a sign of the universal
mission of Christ. Just as Cyril and Methodius later brought the Gospel to the
Slavic peoples, Jesus was already breaking down barriers, fulfilling the
prophecy that all nations would come to know God.
The Faith of the People:
A Community of Intercessors
Unlike some miracles
where individuals cry out to Jesus for healing, in this case, the deaf man is
brought to Him by others. Here, we witness the power of intercession and the faith
of a community. This man could neither hear nor speak, he was trapped in
isolation. Yet, his friends, moved by faith, became bridges between him and
Christ.
This is a powerful
reminder for us today. How many people in our families, workplaces, and
societies are spiritually deaf and mute? They do not hear God’s voice, they do
not know how to speak to Him in prayer. It is our task, like these
intercessors, to bring them to Jesus. Faith is never a private possession; it
is meant to be shared.
Imagine if Christians
all over the world truly embraced this spirit of intercession today, what a
transformation we would see! Lives would be renewed, hearts would be healed,
and communities would be strengthened by the power of God.
In fact, a global initiative is already underway, inviting
Christians of all denominations to come together in prayer. On March 1, 2025,
believers around the world will gather in churches, homes, and communities to
lift their voices in unity through www.gather25.com.
Let us respond to this call, interceding for a world in need of healing, just
as the friends of the deaf man did.
The Power of Jesus’
Healing Touch
Jesus does not perform a
distant, impersonal healing. He takes the man aside, away from the crowd, and touches
him. He puts His fingers into his ears, spits, and touches his tongue. In this
deeply personal gesture, we see that healing is not just about power, it is
about love, intimacy, and restoration.
Then Jesus looks up to heaven, sighs, and speaks a single
word:
“Ephphatha!” (Be
opened!)
This Aramaic word is so
significant that St. Mark chooses not to translate it but preserves it in its
original form. Why? Because it is a divine command, a word that breaks
barriers! The deaf ears are opened, meaning the man can now hear the
voice of truth. The bound tongue is loosed, meaning he can now proclaim
God's praise. The isolation is shattered, meaning he is now fully
restored to his community.
This is what Jesus does
for every soul He touches, He opens what is closed, heals what is broken,
restores what is lost.
The Hidden Message for
Us Today: “Be Opened!”
The miracle in today’s
Gospel is not just about one man; it is
a message for the whole Church, for every disciple of Christ.
How often do we suffer from spiritual
deafness, unable to hear God’s voice in the noise of our busy lives?
How often do we experience spiritual
muteness, afraid to share the Gospel, to speak words of faith,
encouragement, or truth?
How often do we need Jesus
to take us aside and whisper to our souls: “Ephphatha! Be opened!”
Saints Cyril and
Methodius, whose feast we celebrate today, understood this command well. They
brought the Word of God to the Slavic peoples, translating Scripture into their
language, opening ears and hearts to the Gospel. Their mission echoes
Jesus’ own work in the Decapolis, proving that Christ’s message is not bound by
culture, language, or geography, it is for all nations!
Our Call: Becoming
Bearers of “Ephphatha”
The world today is
filled with deafness and muteness. Many are deaf to the cries of the poor, to
the voice of truth, to the call of Christ. Many are mute in the face of
injustice, in evangelization, in their witness to faith.
But Jesus' voice still resounds: “Ephphatha! Be opened!”
As disciples, we are
called to listen attentively to His voice and to speak boldly in His name. Let
us ask for the grace to be truly opened, to receive His Word, to intercede for
others, and to proclaim His love to all people.
May the example of Saints Cyril and Methodius inspire us to
bring the Gospel to the nations, to those who have not yet heard, and to those
who need to hear it again.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, touch our ears that we may hear Your voice.
Touch our tongues that we may proclaim Your praise.
Open our hearts that we may love as You love.
Ephphatha! Be opened! Amen.
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