Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

On September 8 2024

Cycle B

1 Reading: Is 35:4-7a

Remind us to be strong, fearless, and to open our hearts and senses to recognize God’s saving presence: “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God […]”.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

Echoes the call to recognize and praise the Lord for His many blessings. “Praise the Lord, my soul!”.

2 reading: Jas 2:1-5

Two important aspects highlighted in this passage - the significance of treating everyone equally regardless of their economic backgrounds, and the need to approach others with compassion rather than as judges.

Gospel: Mk 7:31-37

Can be summed up in one powerful word: “Ephphatha!”—meaning, “Be opened!”.

“Be strong, fear not! Here is your God […]”

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often lose sight of the real presence of God around us. The first reading from the book of the prophet Isaias (Is 35:4-7a) remind us to be strong, fearless, and to open our hearts and senses to recognize God’s saving presence. “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God […]”. This reading reflects on the importance of acknowledging God’s work in our lives and finding comfort in His presence amidst pain and sorrow. On the one hand, often, we become so absorbed in our own concerns and activities that we overlook the signs of God’s presence in our lives through the persons or different situations. On another hand, the question arises – how can we proclaim, “Here is our God, He comes to save us”, when we are faced with pain and sorrow? It is during these challenging times that we must lean on our faith and trust in God’s providence. While it may be difficult to understand the purpose behind our suffering, we can find solace in knowing that God walks with us through every trial. Perhaps in some moments of our life, we had the experience of the blindness of our eyes, the deaf in our ears… and it’s not just a physical question, but a spiritual or psychological also. Undoubtedly, this first reading highlight the importance of our senses. So, we are invited to ask him to open our eyes from their blindness and our ears to be cleared.

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10) echoes the call to recognize and praise the Lord for His many blessings. “Praise the Lord, my soul!”. This psalm invites us to reflect on the ways in which God reaches out to those in need – the oppressed, the hungry, the blind, the downtrodden, the righteous, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows. By identifying these marginalized individuals, we are reminded of the immense power of God’s love and how we can participate in His work by extending kindness and compassion to others.

In the Second Reading from the letter of saint James (Jas 2:1-5) the message of showing no partiality between the poor and the rich is clear. We are urged not to make distinctions among ourselves and not to pass judgments with evil intentions. This reflection delves into two important aspects highlighted in this passage - the significance of treating everyone equally regardless of their economic backgrounds, and the need to approach others with compassion rather than as judges.

The first aspect of this passage challenges us to examine our attitudes towards the poor and the rich, urging us to question how we treat people based on their economic status. It prompts us to ponder upon who our friends are and how we behave towards those who are less financially fortunate. When our economic circumstances are favorable, do we impose restrictions on interaction with individuals from lower economic backgrounds, or do we open our minds and embrace the opportunity to connect with and learn from those who are less fortunate? This aspect invites us to break free from the confines of social levels and classes, to recognize the shared humanity that binds us all. It encourages us to transcend economic differences and build relationships based on genuine empathy and understanding rather than wealth or material possessions.

The second aspect emphasized in this passage revolves around our inclination to play the role of judges in the lives of others. It urges us to evaluate where our attention lies in our relationships. Do we focus solely on the mistakes and shortcomings of others? Do we look down upon those living in poor conditions? Or do we see them as fellow children of God, deserving of compassion, support, and understanding? This aspect warns us about the danger of assuming an observative role that lends itself to passing judgments. It reminds us that we should approach others with compassion, empathy, and kindness, rather than acting as self-appointed moral arbiters. It reminds us that we are all flawed and that it is our duty to support and uplift one another in times of need.

Last Sunday, we reflected on purification and the law (the purification system of the Pharisees Mk 7,7-8,14-15,21), in which Jesus intends to define the idea of ​​purity and not reject it[1]. In accordance with his missionary intention, Mark’s Jesus promotes the abrogation of the rules of purity linked to a particular, even particularistic, society that they were supposed to protect[2]. Not only the exclusivity of Israel, but also various regulations, such as healing on the Sabbath or simply healing those who were considered impure by the religious authorities of that time[3].

Today’s Gospel according to Saint Mark (Mk 7:31-37) is summed up in one powerful word: “Effetá!”—which means, “Be opened!” Without a doubt, we see a Jesus always on the move, constantly going from one place to another to be “there” with those most in need. On this occasion, he leaves the district of Tyre, travels through Sidon to the Sea of ​​Galilee, and enters the region of the Decapolis. Clearly, this Gospel passage gives continuity to Jesus’ missionary intention already highlighted last Sunday. Furthermore, it is affirmed that wherever he goes, Jesus does good; as the Gospel tells us, “He has done everything well.”

Once again, saint Mark emphasizes the importance of healing. In this story, a “deaf man with a speech impediment” is brought to Jesus by people who know his condition—perhaps his friends. Through the faith of those who brought him, or perhaps his own faith, the man is healed immediately. While we may not be physically deaf or have a speech impediment, we all carry our own forms of illness, wounds, or weaknesses. The question is, are we open to accepting the help of others to find healing? Let us ask the Lord to “open” the doors of our understanding, to allow ourselves to be transformed by others—especially those who are suffering. From their experiences, they have much to teach us. We need to open the ears of our hearts to truly receive the richness of their wisdom.

[1] FORCANT C., “Marcos. Cinco claves de lectura” CB 181, Verbo Divino, Estella (Navarra) 2018, 53.

[2] Ibid., 57-58.

[3] Ibid., 61.