23B, SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 7:31-37, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
1. STORY
One day, Thomas
Edison, the famous inventor, was looking for a job as a Morse code telegraph
operator. There were about ten other
youths also looking for a job, waiting in the room to be called by the manager.
All of a sudden Edison stood up, walked
to the manager’s office, knocked on the door, and entered. Shortly after he came out smiling telling the
others that he was just hired for the job. They were amazed and asked him how this
happened. His answer was very simple. While they were waiting and chatting, he heard
a message in Morse code informing anyone who heard the message to go to the
manager’s office. He was the only one
who heard the message. He learned the
importance of listening.
2. GOSPEL, MARK
7:31-37
A. A DEAF MAN
The gospel tells us that the people brought to Jesus a deaf person who was not able to speak and asked Jesus to cure him.
B. JESUS CURED
THE DEAF MAN
Jesus was happy
to help him. He took the man aside and
cured him. “Immediately the man’s ears
were open, his speech impediment was removed and he spoke plainly.” His life was changed.
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A. SPIRITUAL
DEAFNESS
We can be spiritually deaf just as we can be physically deaf if there is wax in our ears. Spiritual wax can be caused by a too fussy life, too much noise around us, too much use of the computer or mobile phone, or too much watching TV. Spiritual wax can be caused by anger, greed, hatred, revenge, and pride in our lives.
B. BEING ABLE TO
HEAR IS A GREAT BLESSING
i) It is a great
blessing to be able to physically hear.
ii) It is a
greater blessing to be able to hear spiritually. Here are three suggestions as what to listen
for. First, listen to the word of God. It can be heard during each Mass, when we read
the bible, or attend a formation class. The
word of God can bring us strength, comfort, guidance, and peace. Second, listen to your neighbor. When he/she is sad, troubled, or confused, it
alerts us to help him/her. We then
follow the example of Jesus who cured the deaf. Third, listen to the cry of the needy. There are many needy persons in the world. Cardinal Tong urges us to pray for the
Catholics and Christians in China as their crosses are being removed from their
churches and buildings.
4. CONCLUSION
Thomas Edison was able to find a job because he had the ability to hear clearly. Jesus took pity on the deaf man and cured him thus giving him the ability to live a better life. We are blessed with the ability to hear spiritually. We must listen to the word of God and follow it. We must listen to our neighbor and try to help him whenever possible. We must listen to the cry of the needy and pray for them. We thank God for the wonderful gift of hearing and ask him to help us to use it to praise and thank God and to help those in need.
