On August 3, 2024, the first Saturday of August, I had an opportunity to spend time with some of you after the 9 am mass. I would like to thank you for the potluck we shared together. Thank you to those who prepared the food. Certainly, when Catholics gather, there is always food on the table.
Today is the 11th Sunday after Pentecost. St. Paul dedicates himself to preaching on the importance of Christ’s resurrection. If Christ has not been raised, the entire Christian faith falls apart. If we don’t believe, then we are the most miserable people in the world, the fact that we have no hope. St. Paul warns the Corinthians against those who denied the resurrection of Christ. He carefully describes the gospel he preached and what they received in faith, which they need to take a stand on because it is that they have been saved. Otherwise, if they never hold on to his preaching about the gospel, their belief would be in vain. For St. Paul, the gospel is everything to him and to the Corinthians. Therefore, he exhorts them to persevere in the faith they have received and to live what they have been taught.
St. Paul confronts all heresy during his time by affirming that Christ has been physically raised from the dead and that our belief in the resurrection makes all the difference for us in the present and the future.
What do you believe as part of your Christian profession of faith? I do believe that there are many tenets of our faith; however, we must fully accept the totality of our Catholic faith, not just one or some areas of faith. We cannot be selective on matters we simply adhere to or accept or choose among those we agree with. It is not our own ideas but the very teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the Magisterium of the Holy Catholic Church. We must understand that Faith is our whole life in God. St. Augustine says, “Christianity is not just a religion but a way of life.” More than anything else, what counts most though is faith, which is crucial and essential, but Christianity is at heart about relationship. The expression of our faith always rests in a relationship and communion with each other to manifest the true Body of Christ, the Church.
Today’s gospel taken from St. Mark really puts things into the right perspective of a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment but is with some faithful friends with an astounding belief in Jesus. The gospel narrates that “they bring to Him one deaf and dumb, and they besought Him that He would lay His hands upon him.” This suggests that it was not only faith but having emphasis on their relationship or friendship that made the cure possible.
In any human relationships, this story reminds us of how much of an impact Jesus Christ can have in our lives. We are maybe inattentive of so many instances where we do little things or minute acts of goodness to others which to those recipients are little miracles in their lives, and we never realize are works of God Himself through us. Maybe our simple gesture of greeting a person in the morning can lift their spirits realizing that they are loved. Sending a simple card or note to a friend or family member with a message of concern and care, or contacting an elderly person who needs to hear from you are all unexpected works of love of God thru you. Our faith lightens the heart of others by our sincere way of expressing a loving relationship.
Our Spirit of faith needs to be validated by our right attitudes and faithful living out of our belief in God who made manifest in how we relate to the world. We must shine that sparks in the midst of our confused society and once healed like the deaf and dumb, we can speak out freely about everything in the light of faith and truth and genuine witnessing.
Jesus separated the deaf and dumb man apart from the multitude of people, not because he was different, but because He doesn’t want to cause a commotion noticeable to those who were around Him. Oftentimes, Jesus acts in the most low-key status where He avoids recognition. He simply wants a kind of relationship that works through the goodness of His heart to help and to cure those who are afflicted by any kind of physical and spiritual malady.
Brothers and sisters, somehow you may have some physical, emotional, or spiritual issues today. Perhaps you have been coming to this community for some time now, but many times you have slipped in your walk with God. Today, God has caught you reflecting on this gospel passage. Maybe you are not talking to someone, a friend or a family relative, for so many years. Let your lips speak forth His praise to open your heart for reconciliation. Today Jesus speaks straight to your heart, “Be opened!” Do not allow yourselves to own that stony heart which you have kept for so long. Please open your heart to God and be healed. The miracle of healing that will be yours is greater than the miracle received by the deaf man, for today the miracle that is yours is indeed the miracle of your integral salvation.
“Be opened!” Be open to God working in your life, be open to the Holy Spirit guiding you and be open to Jesus, His only Son, to His holy will that whatever may be disturbing you, He is here for you. He has done all things well, and He will do all things well for you. “Be opened to the mighty power of God and His amazing love for you.” In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Fr. Arlon, osa
