September 9, 2012 – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is 35:4-7a; Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10; Jas 2:1-5; Mk 7:31-37
Today’s scripture readings focus heavily on the Lord’s almighty power and His love for all of us. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah promises a savior who will heal the deaf, the blind, and the lame, and in the gospel, we see Jesus do just that. He heals a deaf man. But the message of today’s readings is not simply that God performs miracles (although we ought to recognize that He does). Today’s readings remind us of God’s infinite goodness. He loves and cares for each and every one of us in infant homage ways. He provides for all our needs. He gives us every good gift. He has come to save us all, offering every one of us everlasting life with Him – miracle of miracles.
We should, then, be like the people in Mark’s gospel who witnessed Christ’s healing of the blind man. They couldn’t keep their mouths shut. They were so awed by what He had done that they had to spread the good news! So should we. God has done so much for us, and He continues to. Our lives should be a witness to the world, proclaiming His praises to the ends of the earth. In the way we live our lives, in what we say and do, those we come into contact with ought to be able to see that God is good, that He loves each one of us, and that He is the source of all good gifts.
