Be Open to Hear & Speak Plainly

Introduction

This may not come as a surprise; that our government and church leaders at the highest places in Washington DC and elsewhere seem to be failing to deal with corruption, abuse of power, and sexual scandals. Many including myself are frustrated, somewhat angry, feel powerless fearing how it will all end.

Body

In Israeli’s history, numerous times there have been political and moral decay of leaders and people. Among the worse, King David comes to mind, he committed adultery, murdered and covered up. But, God, over and over again reaches out to his people to forgive them, heal them of their miseries and give them hope for a beautiful future. In our 1st reading God again speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, says “Say to the fearful of heart be strong do not fear Here is your God, He comes to Save you, then the lame will leap and the mute sing and the deserted places will burst forth with springs of water”.

We take so much more comfort from Isaiah’s words today because our God is here to save us. making all things beautiful. In our Gospel we hear Jesus say “Ephphatha” be opened, and immediately the man’s ears were opened, and he spoke plainly. In the rite of infant baptism, we recall Jesus’s Ephphatha and touch the infants’ ears and mouth to hear and speak God’s truth plainly. We are his baptized; priests, prophets and kings. No one can speak plainly, unless they hear plainly. AMEN?

We take so much more comfort from Isaiah’s words today because our God is here to save us. Our beautiful risen Lord Jesus is here in the power, truth and love of the Spirit to cast off frustration and fear, opening and making all things beautiful. In our Gospel “Ephphatha” be opened, and immediately the man’s ears were opened, and he spoke plainly. We cannot speak plainly, unless we hear plainly. In the rite of infant baptism, we recall Jesus’s Ephphatha “be opened” and touch the infants’ ears and mouth to hear and speak God’s truth plainly. We are his baptized; priests, prophets and kings, AMEN?

Conclusion

In his sorrowful passion, our innocent Lord Jesus did not stay entirely silent, but spoke truth plainly to power, denying nothing. He literally remained open and transparent publicly as they unjustly stripped off his cloths. Let the few deserving, justly lay down their robes publicly at the feet of Jesus. Let us his baptized prophets, not be afraid remaining culturally silent, but to hear and speak up the truth plainly in humility and love. Let us repent of our sins pray and fast for healing of the innocent victims, children and seminarians’ healing for our Church and Nation. Let’s not be afraid, truth will set us free, make us strong, our God is here to save us making all things beautiful.