Day: February 10, 2023

February 10, 2023
Prabodhana Theologate and Major Seminary for the Pallottine Fathers
Mysore, India

Genesis 2:3, 3:12-13
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
Mark 7:31-37

Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus open the deaf man’s ears so that he can listen. The Gospel tells us plainly that the deaf man began immediately to speak plainly. To speak plainly is to speak clearly, honestly, without impediment. The man’s impediment to speak clearly is removed by the loving touch of Christ. The malady removed is not simply a physical defect; it is also a spiritual malady of sin and its effects. Its effects include deceit and estrangement from God, from other people, from himself, ending with isolation behind the walls of ignorance, error, and dishonesty. Jesus removes this malady by forgiveness and redeems its effects, he does not merely cover it up.