Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The details in the story of the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment in today’s gospel (Mk 7:31-37) are truly interesting. We can either read this healing as another one of Jesus’ healings or pay attention to these details and discover the deeper realities at in play. Lets take the latter approach
The Location – Hostile Territory
Jesus performed this miracle in the district of the Decapolis. Decapolis literally means “ten cities” and these were located outside the Jewish territories. Along with the districts of Tyre and Sidon, Decapolis was Phoenician or Gentile territory east of Samarian and Galilee. This means that the man brought to Jesus for healing was a Gentile. Much of the population here was bitter enemies of the Jews.
In the gospel of Mark, very soon Jesus would begin his final journey toward Jerusalem where he will be killed. But before his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus moves through enemy territory, doing good, healing people, and taking the good news of the kingdom of God to all people. This is a crucial detail of the story.
Six Healing Actions
The healing of the man is accomplished by six actions: taking the man aside, putting hands in his ear, spiting, touching his tongue, a deep groan, and a command of healing. Let us examine some of these actions.
Taking the man aside. Jesus took the man aside mainly because Jesus was trying to hide his identity as the Messiah. Mark uses a technique called “the messianic secret.” Jesus came as the suffering Messiah, but the people were expecting a triumphant, worldly Messiah. If people were to recognize him the Messiah it could derail God’s time and plan.
Hand in the ears. By putting his hands in his ears and spitting and touching his tongue Jesus was violating Jewish purity laws. But Jesus still reaches out and touched him. It shows Jesus’ personal approach.
The use of saliva and touching the tongue. Both in Hellenistic and Jewish worlds, saliva was believed to have therapeutic properties. In fact, even today, in many cultures, saliva is the natural and initial first aid. The reader is invited to imagine Jesus spitting into his hands, and then, anointing the man’s tongue.
Healing command and groaning. First, Jesus uses a language alien to the man being healed - the Aramaic “Ephphatha.” This might mean that the Messiah’s saving mission is reaching the Gentile world. But in the process, Mark also borrows certain symbols from the Hellenistic world. Groaning and use of foreign language are techniques found in the magical healing ceremonies of the Hellenistic world. Since Mark is telling this story in a Gentile setting, Mark’s Jesus appears similar to pagan healers, only far superior to them. For this reason, the reaction to the healing by the people is strongly dramatized. Mark tells us that people were “exceedingly astonished” and they “proclaimed it everywhere” even though Jesus ordered them not to do that.
However, Jesus command to silence is not part of the Hellenistic magical tradition. We are back to Mark’s “Messianic Secret” technique. Jesus will be revealed as the messiah, but not yet. At the climax of the gospel, under the foot of the cross, a Gentile centurion will confess, “This man was truly the Son of God.” That is the God appointed moment for the revelation of the Messiah.
Let me offer three life lessons from this healing.
Winning by Doing Good
In our world that is racially, economically, religiously, and culturally divided, Jesus gives us an example of how to deal with divisions and enmities. Jesus entered hostile territory not to do harm but to do good. Our approach often is almost always to destroy our enemies. Jesus, on the contrary, enters their land and brings them life, healing, and goodness. Jesus was a peacemaker par excellence.
Mark too is very creative in writing about this healing. Mark’s Jesus not only enters enemy territory, but even uses elements of Gentile healing ceremonies. Mark shows acceptance of the Gentile people and respect for their culture. In this, Mark was a peacemaker like Jesus.
Jesus and Mark teach us that the best way to deal with enemies, those we have trouble getting along with, and those we disagree with is to pray for them, respect them, forgive them, do good to them, and if possible, love them. This way enemies can even become friends.
Not Losing Our Humanity
We live in a world where electronic and social media hold the sway. These are very convenient ways to communicate but they are also very impersonal. They allow a certain amount of anonymity. Because of this, people say things on social media that they would not say to someone in person. Cruelty, nastiness, unkindness, and hate come more easy to us these days.
The six healing actions of Jesus tells us that he not only entered hostile territory, but that engaged the people there in person. He respected them, listened to them, touched them, and healed them. He never lost sight of the fact that they too were human persons, God’s very children.
May social and electronic media never treat us rob us of our humanity, our respect for the human person, our capacity for goodness, kindness, and godliness.
Show no partiality
I also want to approach the healing in Decapolis from the perspective of the second reading from James. He says, “Brothers and sister, show no partiality (Js 2:1). James was talking about the inclination in the community to pay attention to someone who was well dressed while ignoring the poor shabbily dressed person.
In our times, it could be any distinction we notice. Our inclination might be to show partiality toward people of our political leaning, our race, our culture, our nationality, our parish. But that is not how God sees people. In fact, as James suggests, it is the poor, the weak, the vulnerable, those we might consider unworthy of our hospitality whom God upholds. May we always remember James’ words, “Brother and sisters, show no partiality.”
As we come to Christ in this Eucharist, we all stand in need of healing. We were once God’s enemies. But Christ by his great love and mercy has reconciled us to God. Now, may we in turn bring healing and peace to our church and our world. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph