We hear in today's gospel about Jesus healing the deaf man with a speech impediment. I find it interesting that Jesus took this man away from the crowd to be alone with him. Jesus could have very easily just said the words of healing and the man would have been healed. Why did Jesus feel a need to take this man away from the crowd, and further, why did he feel a need to touch his ears and tongue to give the man healing? Jesus could have just said be healed and the man would have been healed.
I think that it's possible that Jesus saw in this man a need for the personal touch. It's possible, because of the man's disabilities, that he felt distant from people. People probably kept their distance from him for whatever reason. So, Jesus sensed the need for physical contact that this man may have never really had. This was part of the healing. Not only was he being healed of his deafness and speech impediment, but he was feeling the love and warmth of human contact. In addition to the healing, he was being made to feel important.
Jesus reaches out to each one of us in our own unique way. We are all different and are in need of different healings that can only come from Jesus. Whether it's physical healing, like this man, or emotional healing that is unique to each one of us. All we have to do is to turn to Jesus and seek His help and healing. We can do this in various ways: though the reading and meditating on scripture, through quiet time alone in prayer with Jesus, by going to Him in the Sacrament of Confession, or by reaching out to Him in Holy Communion. It is during these times with Jesus that he will grant us the healing we need. It may not be as dramatic as the man in today's gospel, but we will be healed according to our need.
As you approach Jesus in prayer, ask Him to grant you the healing and peace that you need.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteAmen. Beautiful.
YES, Our LORD could have healed him by a variety of other methods, as indicated in the various accounts of His healing others.
I guess I just figured that Our LORD respected the man's privacy & He also did want to attract the notoriety that would lead to people clamoring for Him to earthly kingship before His time.
It is beautiful that Our LORD knows each one of us so intimately that He knows what kind of healing & method of healing we need. It has been aptly said that GOD knows us better than we know ourselves! Sometimes the way He chooses to heal us is unexpected & mysterious even to ourselves. Ultimately it is the way that is best for us.
Thank You, LORD. Please help us to see the ways You are reaching out to us to touch & heal us by Your unfailing love & grace.