Jesus' Valentine Gift to the Deaf Man

In today’s Gospel, Mark 7: 31-37, Jesus heals a deaf man and removes his speech impediment. The man is so grateful that he is unable to contain his joy or not announce the Good News, even though Jesus requests that he tell no one about the miracle. There is no way that he can remain silent. By going about Galilee healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf and casting out demons, Jesus proclaims that the Kingdom of God has come. And the man who was healed tasted this Kingdom. He’s come out of hiding, so to speak, and proclaims the Kingdom’s presence. Here on earth, people are given a foretaste of heaven in the good that happens when loved ones, or they themselves, are restored to health; when broken hearts are healed by the voicing of apologies and when offensive behaviors are transformed by love and forgiveness. In fact, when our eyes are opened by love and our ears are unblocked by hearing affirmative, encouraging, loving messages, we get a glimpse of life after death where there will be no more tears, no more heartaches, no more pain. The glory generated by genuine love and forgiveness here on earth is a foretaste of the glory in heaven that awaits those who love God, self and others. Lord, open my eyes today to your love within me and around me. May I be a messenger of your love and compassionate Presence today especially to those whose ears have been deafened by negative energy around them. Happy Valentine’s Day!