+ Today in our first reading we see the children of Israel and David's house feuding once again. There has always been a long history of rebellion among God's chosen people. It is very ironic: the ones who had the most going for them, were the ones who seemed to care the least. Their special relationship with God obviously did not mean much to them a lot of the time. This indeed made God very sad and frustrated. In the responsorial psalm carefully chosen by the Church for today it laments (God speaking): If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn my hand. What to do with unruly children is a perennial problem!
The Alleluia Verse today however holds the key to a rebellious spirit: Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son. Those who listen to Jesus - whose roots are in the people of Israel and the House of David: they shall regain their proper relationship with God the Father, thus making him and everyone involved in the process happy once again.
In the gospel passage this Jesus cures a deaf man who had a speech impediment. This man could represent not only the people of Israel who were deaf to God's voice and unwilling to give him true worship and praise from the heart; he could also represent us – who sometimes are as deaf and as unwilling to give God and others what is their due!
But once the cure has been given by Jesus, once the ears have been opened, once the gospel message can be heard loud and clear, then the voice can proclaim its truth and give glory to God who spoke it; then we can sing and share stories of God's goodness to us with others who need such encouragement!
Let us decide to do that this day! Receive the word of God, now! fortify it by the reception of holy communion, then go to love and serve God because you have heard him, partook of him and truly have something to share with others!
Open our hearts, O Lord, so that we may hear you and love you and love others from the heart!
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