It took five decades to understand that I could not hear sounds above a normal frequency range. When I first put on hearing aids, tears of joy overwhelmed me as I heard an array of new sounds. One of the most beautiful was the music of evening tree frogs. This kind of radical change was not new to me. Because years earlier, one of my learning disabilities was offset after deep prayer. When needed, I recall that moment as I know Jesus’s grace will enable me to read aloud without jumbling words. When in trusted situations I will occasionally share other moments when I have been astounded beyond measure because of God’s intervention.
Jesus Heals a Mute Possessed Man by James Tissot.
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 7:31-37 – Scripture*
Jesus Cures a Deaf Man
31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Additional Thoughts
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on reflection on Mark 7:31-37 Reflection – Astounded Beyond Measure.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Mark 7 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.