BE OPEN AND LEARN TO LISTEN - Homily by Fr. Danichi Hui on Sept. 8, 2024

Summary

The transcript shares a Gospel reading from Mark about Jesus healing a deaf man with a speech impediment. It emphasizes that Jesus' way of healing is unique and not dictated by people's expectations. The homily then draws a parallel to our own lives, urging listeners to open their ears to God's word, be receptive to His unique ways, and avoid insisting on their own paths. The reflection also ties in with the celebration of Mama Mary's birthday, highlighting her obedience and openness to God as an example for believers to follow.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The Gospel recounts Jesus healing a deaf man with a speech impediment by touching his ears and tongue, saying 'be opened,' and the man was healed.
• 🛐 The people were amazed at Jesus' ability to heal, despite their lack of faith, demonstrating the power of His works.
• 👂 The story emphasizes the importance of being open to hearing and listening, not only physically but also spiritually.
• 👥 Jesus took the deaf man away from the crowd, showing that His healing was personal and intimate.
• 🤲 The crowd expected Jesus to heal in a specific way by laying hands on the man, but Jesus healed in His own unique way, reminding us that God’s ways are different from ours.
• 🌿 A comparison is made between being raised on a farm and being able to listen for subtle things like the sound of a cricket, implying that we need to be trained to hear God’s voice.
• 🪙 A metaphorical story illustrates how people quickly notice the sound of money, but fail to listen for more important, quieter messages like those from God.
• 🎂 Today is the birthday of Mama Mary, a woman of obedience who listened to God, emphasizing her role in the Gospel as someone with an open heart and ears to God's will.
• 🎶 The homily encourages everyone to open their ears to God's teachings, like Mama Mary, to receive blessings.
• 📖 The overall message urges listeners not to insist on their own ways but to be open to God’s guidance and trust His plans, even when they differ from our expectations.

Q & A

What is the central event described in the Gospel reading?

The central event is Jesus healing a deaf man with a speech impediment in the district of Decapolis.

How did Jesus perform the healing on the deaf man?

Jesus took the man aside from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears, spat, and touched the man’s tongue. Then He looked up to heaven, sighed, and said 'Ephphatha,' which means 'be opened.'

What does the word 'Ephphatha' mean, and why is it significant?

'Ephphatha' means 'be opened.' It is significant because upon saying it, the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he could speak plainly.

What was Jesus' instruction to the people after healing the man, and how did they respond?

Jesus instructed the people not to tell anyone about the healing, but the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.

What message does the priest convey through the story of the two friends and the cricket?

The priest uses the story to illustrate the importance of training one’s ears to listen to important sounds, much like how we should train ourselves to listen to God amidst the noise of life.

What lesson does the priest draw from the healing of the deaf man in the context of the people's faith?

The priest emphasizes that God has His own ways of healing and responding to our needs, which may differ from what we expect or instruct. We should trust in His methods rather than trying to direct Him.

Why is the district of Decapolis significant in the Gospel story?

The district of Decapolis is significant because it was a gentile territory, a place of non-believers, which highlights the universal reach of Jesus’ miracles.

What broader spiritual lesson does the priest emphasize about listening to God?

The priest stresses the importance of being open to listening to God, training our ears to hear Him, and trusting in His guidance rather than following our own plans.

How does the priest relate the birthday of Mama Mary to the Gospel story?

The priest relates it by highlighting Mama Mary’s obedience to God, noting that her willingness to listen to God was key to her blessedness, and encourages the congregation to emulate her openness to God’s will.

What does the priest suggest as the key to receiving God’s blessings?

The priest suggests that being open and listening to God, much like Mama Mary, is key to receiving God’s blessings and guidance.