God's Divine Plan

In this evening’s Gospel (Mark 7: 31-37) for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we heard the story of the man who could not hear and he had a speech impediment. This healing story from Mark is more than a healing story, it invites us to reflect on our own ability to form relationships. At the end of the Gospel, those who had witnessed first-hand or had heard about how Jesus healed the man, said, “He has done all things well.” We read almost the same thing at the end of the creation story, “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.”

God's Plan

These two statements frame and embrace the story of creation, from the very beginning of time to the healing of the man in today’s gospel and beyond. Everybody is destined for a life of joy and fullness. It is God’s divine plan of salvation, intended for all people. All people, regardless of race or nationality, have a right to a life of peace, to experience justice and well-being.

This biblical and human truth is particularly relevant today.

The World Around Us

The images of people fleeing, suffering or dying leave us with a deep feeling of helplessness. It seems to me that the greed for power, money and luxury can corrupt the human heart. This greed is dehumanizing. It can make a person become deaf.

Friends, throughout history there have always been people who have resisted the pursuit of power, wealth and luxury.

The prophet Isaiah was one such person. His words in our First Reading (Is 35: 4-7a) are encouraging, “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God! Then will the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared.”

People of Inspiration

I think of St. Francis, who so lovingly embraced and cared for the sick and lepers, as a brother.

The Blessed Mother Teresa who gave a face and a voice to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta.

We give thanks for Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan. At the age of 16 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous fight against violence and her fight for the education of young women.

I think of many people here in Zug who, in small, often hidden ways, do good. I think of the countless volunteers who, with great personal commitment and conviction, work for the community - in our families, parishes, and community groups. Their motivation is a deep source of inspiration for others.

Being Open to God's Plan

Together with you – I believe, that through Jesus Christ, we can understand the fundamental relationship that embraces the fullness of all life. God cares about the whole person — the spirit, the body, soul and entire physical being. After touching the deaf man, Jesus does not say, "Hear!" or "Speak!". He says "Ephphatha – be opened!" Here we see that Jesus is concerned with more than just the functioning of the ears and speech.

"Be opened!". These words of Jesus mean to me:

• Listen to God, pay close attention to what He wants to say to you.

• Hear the legitimate concerns of your fellow human beings and their unspoken needs.

• Listen for the hidden praise, the subtle criticism, the unspoken disappointment.

• Listen to the constructive feedback from others – because they care about you, because they love you.

• Continually listen consciously to the voice of your heart.

• Hear and listen when God calls you.

• Hear when the community needs you.

Wonder At God And Humanity

The biblical miracles are not meant to be exaggerated wonders. They are to be understood as signs which point to the coming Kingdom of God.

A small detail reveals to us how carefully God does this. Jesus takes a sick person away from the crowd. He does not want to disclose his private matters under the pressure of the public eye.

Jesus takes him aside—away from the crowd—and quietly touches him.

In the quiet and hidden space, the mysterious and powerful presence of God is found in a profound way. God's actions are not meant to be a spectacle or a show. It is the same with our volunteers. People who give their time and energy and engage in service often do it in silence, in the hidden and away from the lime light. That’s why I would like to take this moment to thank all of you who contribute to the good in your families, schools, leisure activities and workplaces and here in our parish community. I do this from the bottom of my heart.

Applause to the Volunteers of Our Community

Our gospel story encourages me to believe that God wants to be by our side through all the highs and lows of life. It is not simply the healing of a sick person but the beginning of the Kingdom of God, which Jesus, the crucified Christ from Nazareth, proclaimed.

Praised be Jesus Christ.