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Appleton, WI

Sept 5 Homily Connect: Can you hear me now?

Scripture: Is 35:4-7a Jas 2:1-5 Mk 7:31-37

Can You Hear Me Now? A Native American

  • Walking with a friend in downtown New York – hears a cricket
  • Friend responds – Your crazy – It’s too noisy here
  • Native American was sure he heard it – Listened attentively
  • Checked in large cement planter and found the cricket
  • Friend astonished
  • Cherokee said: “My ears are no different from yours; it simply depends on what you are listening to.”
  • Dropped a handful of change on the concrete – Every head within a half block turned
  • Native American said, “You see what I mean?” “What are you listening for?”

A Question For Us

“Are we tuned into God who says, “Can you hear me now?” Or, are we too distracted by the noise?

Today’s Gospel

  • Jesus touches the man’s ear and says “Ephphatha” – “Be Open”
  • Jesus calls us to have open ears and eyes that see the world around us
  • More than clearing wax from our ears or cleaning glasses or putting in drops

last week – letter from st. james

  • Don’t only be hearers of the Word but also doers of the Word
  • Jesus places people in our path to see how we live the Gospel message of love

this week isaiah and st. james

  • Isaiah – God is here to save -open eyes of the blind and ears of the deaf
  • St. James – Touches on social justice – Treat all people through the eyes of God
  • Afghan people whose lives were disrupted as they moved from their country
  • What if it was you that was being uprooted?
  • If some relocate to Appleton, how will we respond?
  • What about those live in Fox Cities struggling with abuse or finding good paying jobs, housing, healthcare?
  • What about those with mental illness, single parents or the elderly
  • We need to respond with love, compassion and outreach

Where it all begins

With our relationship with Jesus nourished by the Eucharist

Let US…

  • Pray that Jesus lifts our blindness and deafness
  • Live Catholic Social Teachings of Jesus’ Church
  • Most importantly live the Life and Dignity of the Human Persons
  • Be attentive when Jesus call, “Can you hear me now?”
  • Let us response “Yes” to the needs of others

questions for reflection

  • What impacted you from the readings/homily?
  • When you walk down the street, what do you hear/see?
  • In what areas of your life do you have blinders? What might you need to do so your blindness can be lifted?
  • How do you understand the Life and Dignity of the Human Person?

Live Connected

In prayer, take a personal inventory of your willingness to hear God and to respond “Yes!”