Daily reflection from the CPLO and the Jesuit Institute for 9 September 2021

Published: Thu, 09/09/21

Thursday, 9 September 2021

“Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, 'Ephphatha,' that is, 'Be opened.' And his ears were opened, and at once the impediment of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly.”

~ Mark 7:34-35 ~

Mark 7:31-37

Jesus looked up to heaven. Was this about God, his Father from whom all things come? Perhaps he looked up to heaven for the deaf man’s benefit, that the man would see that Jesus was calling on his Father to show grace towards the man, that the man would know that faith in God was needed for his healing. We are called to look to God, our Father, at all times, to put our faith in him and to live out his will for our lives.

After looking up, we are told that Jesus sighed. The Oxford Dictionary gives the following meaning for sighed: emit a long, deep audible breath expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or similar. Perhaps Jesus was feeling all of these emotions at the time of this story. Sadness at the deaf man’s impediments and the cause for them; relief at having some time away from the maddening crowds or relief that the man had faith that he would be healed; tiredness from all the travelling or dealing with all the people and their challenges. We will never know the reason.

However, the fact that it is mentioned in this story tells us so much about Jesus and his humanness. Jesus also became exasperated, tired and sad at times. The sigh can also be seen as an indication of Jesus’ emotions concerning the man, the compassion he feels towards him and an expression of his pity for the challenges that we face and the horrible things that can happen to undeserving people. Or was the sigh Jesus’ reflection of the man’s spiritual deafness?

How often in your day do you offer a sigh that expresses one or all of these emotions? A sigh that allows you to keep your feelings in check and to diffuse some of your anxiety? A sigh that perhaps expresses pity for others?

‘Ephphatha.’ “Be opened.” Not only was Jesus opening the ears of the deaf man and clearing his speech impediment, but he was also opening his heart and removing the internal impediments of his mind. Opening the heart opens the ears to receive God’s word and opens the mouth to offer prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

Is your heart and mind open to receive the messages from our Lord?

Dear God,

Hear me as I look up to heaven

and ask that my ears,

my mind and my heart

be opened to receive

all that you have for me.

May the words of my mouth

bring you glory,

praise and thanksgiving

at every opportunity

Amen.

Reflection prepared by Gillian Hugo

8-Day Retreat

Residential Retreat @
St Ignatius House, Auckland Park

DATE: 1-9 October 2021 (Starting 5pm on 1 October, and ending 4pm on 9 October

Book now - limited places available retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za
Cost R7500 (Partial Bursaries are available)

The Jesuit Institute is offering an 8-day silent residential retreat in October. The venue is our recently refurbished "Retreat in the City" in Auckland Park. There are six private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Beautiful gardens and peaceful chapel overlooking Johannesburg is a perfect place to find rest and restore your soul.

There are as many reasons to take this retreat as there are people who attend it. Some seek to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ; to spend quality time in prayer and reflection; to learn more about one’s self in relationship to God and to others; preparing to make a significant life decision in response to the movement of the Spirit. Why would you like to come?

8-day retreat

Online @ home

1-9 October 2021

Cost: R2200

The Jesuit Institute will be offering an online 8-day retreat that you participate in from your home. Take the time out of, and away from, your usual routine, just as you would on a residential retreat.

For this “Retreat @home for eight days,” you will need to

Clear your calendar as you normally would for a retreat
Make your home space as free from distractions as possible
Meet with a spiritual director every day online
Pray for several substantial sessions a day as you would on a residential retreat
Connect online for a short evening prayer liturgy with others making the retreat

We will help you with suggestions on how to do this. God works in all things. Make use of this opportunity to reconnect with God while getting the rest your body, mind and soul needs.

For more information or to book, please contact Margaret Backwell

retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za