02/10/2026
[SSVP Reflection - October]
In the Gospel in Mark 7:31-37 we read Jesus encounters a deaf man with a speech impediment. Jesus places His hands on him and looking up to heaven with a sigh, says “Ephphatha” which means “Be opened”.
Most of us will often just take the episode as a historical miracle and would have missed the full dimension and under- appreciating the word “Ephphatha” - “Be opened”. Let’s try now to explore the full meaning and the implications of Jesus’ healing and the word “Ephphatha”.
“Ephphatha” literally means “Be opened”. It was a direct command that instantly restored the man’s hearing and loosened his tongue allowing him to speak. In essence, “Ephphatha” is a powerful reminder of God’s desire for us to be fully open and receptive to His presence, and to experience complete wholeness and the ability to connect with Him and others.
Do we ever consider why Jesus took the man aside, touching him, and sighing. This demonstrates to us Jesus’s deep personal compassion and empathy for suffering. He doesn’t just heal from a distance, He engages intimately with the individual’s pain. This miracle also shows Jesus’s ability to heal with a single word which shows us Jesus’ divine power and authority. This miracle also tells us the Old Testament prophecy, in Isaiah, which spoke of the Messiah opening the ears of the deaf and loosening the tongues of the mute.
The church also indicates and interprets the episode as not just as a miracle, but as an ongoing invitation and a call for Christians to have their ears and hearts opened to God’s Word and the needs of others. It signifies breaking down our spiritual barriers, such as our selfishness, fear, or laziness that prevent us from listening to God.
Pope Benedict XVI highlighted that this single word “Ephphatha” sums up the whole mission of Jesus- to break down the barriers that separate humans from God and from one another.
The big question now is after understanding the full implications of Jesus’s healing the deaf man and Jesus’s command “Be opened” - How can we be opened? Here are some practices we can try:
Mindfulness & Reflection: Taking time to quiet our minds through practices like meditation, prayer or simply mindful breathing can help us become more receptive to our inner wisdom and the subtle guidance around us.
Active listening: This isn’t about hearing words, but truly seeking to understand others, even when we disagree. It opens up to us to new perspectives and deepens our empathy. It also extends to “listening” to our own bodies and emotions.
Forgiveness & Letting go: Choosing to forgive ourselves and others versus holding onto grudges which can create emotional blockages, will release what no longer serves us, can be incredibly liberating and open up space for healing and peace.
Vulnerability & Connection: Allowing ourselves to be truly seen by others, sharing our struggles and joys and forming genuine connections can open our hearts. This leads to deeper relationships and self understanding.
To conclude, speak to God using this short prayer (or one of your own).
God of mercy and judgment, thank you for your love,
which continually calls me to come closer to you.
Help me to see You and be opened to serve You in all I meet,
especially those in need. Amen.
From SSVP Faith Formation & Development Team
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