“But the more Jesus ordered them not to speak, the more they proclaimed it.” –Mark 7:36
Take a moment to appreciate the irony. First, Jesus heals a man who can’t hear or speak. Then Jesus orders him not to speak, but the fellow doesn’t seem to hear it. He can’t keep his mouth shut about what just happened. Could you?
The deeper question, of course, is Why wouldn’t Jesus want everyone to know he could do things like this? Isn’t it good for business, so to speak, to let everyone know he’s powerful enough to command such a healing? While there’s nothing wrong with a little advertising when it comes to truth, it’s often a matter of timing as well. Similarly, Jesus chooses to keep the Transfiguration vision under wraps, and he prefers to teach the disciples a lot of lessons after the Resurrection that they weren’t prepared to receive earlier. Sometimes we have great advice to give our loved ones, but they’re not ready to hear it.
When has the truth been real, but the timing been wrong?
LET US PRAY…
Creator of all, you spoke, and all history came into being. We thank you for the stories that inspire our hope and ignite our imagination. Bless your Church, striving to be faithful in an era of doubt. Lead all who seek the truth into the path of your light. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
While The Gospel at Home takes a break in the summer months, we’ll be drawing our weekly reflections from Exploring the Sunday Readings.
Image credit: Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
A beautiful prayer, and so relevant to our present listening and dialoguing toward the Plenary Council, and sharing our stories.
I really love Pflaum (Good News & Venture). It is at the age level, and the parent can assist.
Thanks,
Thelma Palomo, Catechist
Thank you! God bless.