Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Our church has many, many beautiful stained glass windows, but I have to say that my favorite is the one near the altar depicting Mary as appearing to young Bernadette at Lourdes. It was on this date in 1858 that a “Lady” (later identifying herself as the “Immaculate Conception”) first appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette as she was out gathering firewood. Although reflecting on today’s readings for the fifth week in ordinary time, this memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes also speaks to me, especially in light of today’s gospel reading with the theme of “be opened.”
The gospel passage from Mark (7:31-37) tells us that Jesus cured a “deaf man who had a speech impediment” by touching him (even spitting) and groaning to heaven, commanding, “Ephphatha!”(Be opened!). Although the account is primarily a physical healing, what can we learn from this spiritually? With today’s Psalm response we are instructed, “I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.” How is my spiritual hearing? Does something need to “be opened” for us to hear God’s voice? To see the Mystery of God around us?
I think we can safely assume that young Bernadette was open to that Mystery as seen through Our Lady. Poor and with health challenges she did not close herself off to the Mystery and Beauty right there in her humble experiences of ordinary life. And she did not lose faith when others questioned and doubted her experience. Like the beautiful stained glass windows, she let the light of Christ shine through her.
What needs to “be opened” in us today to allow that same brilliant light shine through? Let us pray through the intercession of St. Bernadette and Mary, Our Lady and Mother, for the grace to “Be opened!” to the extraordinary in the ordinary today and every day. Amen.
~Eileen Miller