23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Is 35:4-7
Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
Jas 2, 1-5
Mk 7:31-37

In the musical, Man of LaMancha, Don Quixote sings about his quest for “the impossible dream.” Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the “Sunday Soundbite” for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

That song became a hit, in part, I believe, because all of us have some kind of dream, some vision of a hope-filled future that keeps us going. Christians believe that Jesus Christ fulfills humanity’s dreams of a world at peace, in harmony, with all of our human imperfections made whole.

Today’s first reading is an Old Testament prophecy of such a dream coming true. Isaiah has a vision of a time when those who cannot hear or cannot see will be given hearing and sight; and when the lifeless deserts will become fertile.

Mark, the author of today’s Gospel, believed that Jesus would fulfill that Isaian vision. He incorporated some of Isaiah’s visionary language into his account of Jesus giving the powers of hearing and speech to a man.

That scene is portrayed in great detail by Mark, with Jesus using gestures, groans, and even spitting-as he carries out this power-filled sign.

For me, the scene captures both Jesus’ humanity and divinity. And it communicates what Mark and his community of faith are witnessing to in this Gospel: That Jesus is the one who will fulfill all our dreams for healing, wholeness, and peace. What are you hoping for this week?

Scripture:

•Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. (Isaiah 35)

•The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. (Psalm 146:8,9)

•Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)

•“He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37)

Reflection:

•God gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, mobility to the lame, speech to the mute and faith to the poor. Is there a pattern here? What is Scripture saying? Can someone who is complete find God? Or, is anyone complete without God?