Today is the 11th Sunday after Pentecost. We are reminded that every Sunday we gather together in this Church to feel God’s presence for “God in His Holy face, God who makes men of one mind to dwell in a house. He shall give power and strength to His people.” (Psalm 67:2)
Our epistle today, taken from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, describes how the Goodnews being preached to them would certainly benefit them if it is properly received and if one will stand and hold it in his heart. The Goodnews St. Paul was preaching is the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the way to escape punishment and for everyone to deserve salvation from God. It must first be believed and embraced. The Corinthian believers in the Lord, despite all their problems of life’s strifes, division, and immorality, they still stood for the gospel. Meaning to say, the work of the Holy Spirit is effective because they stood behind the gospel being preached to them, in contrast to the other communities with strange spirituality. They were doing well in that they did stand by the gospel. They hold fast the gospel Paul preached to them. Every one of us must take seriously our responsibility to not only have a good past, and a good present, but to be determined to have a great future with the Lord. At this present age, we are always tempted to go against the will of God; hence, all the more, we must hold on to Christ, the Divine healer.
The gospel today narrates to us another story of Jesus’ miraculous healing. Many people were seeking Jesus and were brought to Him, “one deaf and dumb, and they besought Him that He would lay His hand upon him.” Jesus responded by taking this man away from the crowd and performing His healing ritual.
Let us focus on todays’ gospel with these three important lessons:
First, Jesus healed a man who was not only deaf but also had a speech impediment, meaning to say, he cannot communicate with anyone. It was thru the man’s friend that he was brought to Jesus and begged for healing. Our understanding of being a Christian is to be in communion with others thru our love and faith. We are called to respond to the needs of others, regardless of race, color, and religious affiliation. I cannot understand other denominations who don’t welcome others if they don’t belong to their congregation. The Lord teaches us that we must go beyond our limits for the fulfillment of His commands.
Second, Jesus healed the man by taking him away from the crowd. Perhaps Jesus realizes that the man does not want to cause others to be envious and maybe was trying to avoid critical comments from the religious leaders. Jesus wants to do and fulfill His mission to sow love and compassion. He simply desired to make the man “whole” once again, and Jesus performs miracles away from the public eyes.
Third, “Jesus charged them that they should tell no one.”(v.35) This prohibition of Jesus to not say anything to anyone is an indication of Jesus’s will that everything is in accordance with the Father. Time will come when everything will be revealed which is perfectly acceptable to His Father in heaven.
What is our ailment, sickness, and impediment that we wish and pray to God for healing? What do we believe would make us healed and experience wholeness again? Do we have the courage and the faith in the Lord today? Do we believe in the power of healing with which Jesus is touching us today? Will we trust Him? Domine, clamavi ad te, et sanasti me. Lord, I cried unto Thee and Thou hast healed me.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa