Friday 11 February 2022

Today is Friday the 11th of February, in the fifth week of Ordinary time.
David Gungor with the Porter's Gate sings, 'Have Mercy On Me'. Can you make these words your own today?

Today's reading is from the Gospel of Mark.
Mark 7:31-37
Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, 'Ephphatha', that is, 'Be opened.' And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, 'He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.'

Today we place ourselves in the story of the deaf man whose life is transformed by Jesus. As we begin, become aware of your breathing. Breathe in deeply and then breathe out slowly. Repeat this a few times.

You become aware of people coming towards you. A man you know well stands with them, see the look in his eyes as he gazes on Jesus. What does his silent look tell you about him?

Jesus moves away from the crowd... as if a secret is to be told, he beckons the man to follow him. From where you stand, you watch as Jesus places his fingers in the man's ears and spits into his hands, gently touching his tongue. He looks up, sighs deeply, breathing upon the man, uttering the words 'be open'. Instantly, the man you knew as one who could not speak or hear, lifts his voice, and joins the call of the birds, in praise and joy of their creator.

Now go and greet the man, listen to his new voice and new song, look into his eyes, who do you see? Someone near you is speaking. "He has done everything well, 'Now the blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, and silent tongues start to sing." Take these words deeply into you. Let them touch you as if hearing them for the first time.

Become aware of your breathing again. Slowly start to return to this time and place Be still and wait.

What do you need God to do for you? Ask him now.

How will the secret, of the good news of the Kingdom of God within you, astound those you meet? As you close your time of prayer today, thank God for the transforming work he is doing in you.


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.