5th Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Friday 12th February 2021

Jesus’ mission, which began in Galilea, now brings him into Gentile territory. Gentiles are allowed to experience the saving power of God. A deaf-mute is brought to Him, and Jesus is requested to “lay his hand on him!” But Jesus does more: he takes the deaf-mute aside, away from the crowd. He spends an extraordinarily long time with him, touching his ears, putting his own saliva on his tongue, and lifting up his eyes to heaven he ‘groans’ a prayer!

Such a powerful encounter is not lost on the man who is healed, and his countrymen! They proclaim the marvellous works of God; this happens not on Jewish soil, but in the pagan territory!

God’s Word rejected by the Israelites but are accepted enthusiastically by the non-Jews. One day, Jesus would say that God could make the very stones to give him the praise that is his due.

The messianic prophecy in Isaiah 35:6 is fulfilled: “the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf un-stopped, the lame man shall leap like a hart and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy!” These messianic blessings once promised to Israel, are now available to the pagans. It is not the chosen people who are heralds of the Gospel, but the Gentiles. God’s Word will not return empty!

Lord, thank You for our eyes, ears and our hearts, through which we recognize You in our midst!