Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 9, 2024
- Dr. Kate Wiskus
- Feb 9, 2024
- 2 min read
Date: Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture Text: Mark 7:31-37
Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!") And immediately the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished, and they said, "He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Breaking the text open – background and summary:
The gospel text for today from Mark recounts Jesus’ curing of a deaf mute in the district of Tyre, Gentile territory. We note the faith of the Gentiles: yesterday we read of the Syrophonecian woman and today of the friends of a deaf and mute man. In both, the faith of the individuals involved are highlighted as are Jesus’ power and authority in this world.
Meditating on the text with personal questions:
Where does my faith stand? Is it strong? When I approach the LORD in prayer, do I have faith my prayer is heard and will be answered?
Praying:
LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, always and everywhere You are present, You are knowing, You are loving. We open ourselves to You this day knowing our need for your transformative love. Stir within us. Remain with us; help us to remain with You. Grant that our faith, hope and love increase daily as we journey to You and to the ones You created us to be, call us to be, and grace us so that we might become. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
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