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!”