Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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.

In order to be open to God’s Will, we too need to get away from the crowd and the distractions of our lives. It’s hard to hear God through the constant din of worldly things around us. This is why Jesus is constantly going off to deserted places, because he is opening himself to the will of his Father. When he brings the deaf man away from the crowd, he is giving us an example to emulate in our own lives. We need to find our own quiet places so that we can be open to the Holy Spirit’s inspirations. Being open to God requires not only an intellectual or spiritual willingness on our part, but also taking concrete actions that will help us listen more closely to His callings.

Do we take time to be alone with God? Are we open to His inspirations? What impediments are keeping us from doing God’s Will?

O Lord, open our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths to your Divine Word.

Amen.