YEAR OF MISSION : TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

There’s a beautiful part of the Rite of Baptism which is, strangely, optional in England and Wales. It’s called the Ephphatha Rite, taking its name from today’s gospel. The priest touches the baby’s ears and lips: ‘the Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word and your mouth to proclaim his faith…’ For those who witness the miracles of Jesus, this was surely a sign of God’s nearness that the prophets had looked forward to and a sign that something Godly was taking place. For us who are baptised today’s gospel might remind us of that simple call offered to us as disciples – we are to be hearers of God’s word. We are invited to allow God’s word to make its home within us, to find a shelter in us. But we are also called to be proclaimers of that word, not just in the way we speak but through the way we live. Baptism anoints us and empowers us to be those hearers and those proclaimers… and our world needs to hear the message of God’s presence, his love, his compassion and his gentleness through those who have encountered him. Let’s keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, our ears open to his word. Let’s have the courage to be messengers of that word this week, in what we say and in what we do, so that the mission of Christ continues in those called to be like him.