I'll never forget the experience of witnessing with my own eyes the birth of my daughter Elizabeth; nearly 20 years ago. You might say I was exceedingly astonished. Wendy and I decided early on in the pregnancy that I would be there in the delivery room. You see, some 11 years earlier, I missed the delivery of my son James. In fact, I was watching a very entertaining basketball game in the waiting room between the Celtics and the Knicks. But before all you moms out there think less of me, there is more to the story.
Back in the seventies, dads had to be certified to be present in the delivery room. This required the parents to attend three sessions at the hospital; one of which would be the vieweing of a movie of a live birth. I was game; the wife not so much. So we missed one of the classes. No certificate for me. While Wendy certainly had no choice about being in that delivery room, I was banned. And it was all Wendy's fault.
But witnessing the birth of Elizabeth, right there, holding my wife's hand was exceedingly astonishing!
We all have had moments that were exceedingly astonishing; from everyday joyful surprises, to feats of great athletic accomplishment, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, even the snowfall last December.
As people of faith, are we like the crowds in today's Gospel, exceedingly astonished by all that Jesus does for us?
If we were present at that scene depicted in Mark's Gospel and witnessed the healing of the deaf man, we would probably be exceedingly astonished too. Jesus, not trying to call attention to himself, could not refuse the pleas of those who asked for help. So he was drawn to the deaf man. And he was considerate of the deaf man, taking him off alone, and healing him. And he heals him in a most remarkable way. The Gospel tells us Jesus puts his fingers in the deaf man's ears and using spit, touches his tongue. After he completes these physical acts, he commands, "be opened".
Jesus also ordered them not to tell anyone but of course, they tell everyone and word spreads. And the Gospel tells us they were exceedingly astonished! The crowds also said"He has done all things well".
Indeed, Jesus did do all things well. Perhaps the crowd was inspired to recall the words from Genesis by God the Father who declared His creation "good". Jesus, who is sent from the Father to heal and to save, begins the work of the new creation.
Knowing that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever He is still doing all things well. Jesus continues to deliver healing through the Sacraments of the Church. In both reconciliation and the anointing of the sick, Jesus forgives the sins of those who seek his mercy. And while Jesus does not have to put his fingers in our ears or spit or touch our tongues, physical signs and symbols are used. In reconciliation we approach the confessional, we confess to a Priest, who acting in the person of Christ, absolves our sins. And then we are commanded to do penance. In the anointing of the sick, oil is used on the forehead and hands of the sick person. The words used are, "if you have committed any sins, your sins are forgiven." Jesus touches those who seek Him. Those who experience Jesus' healing power through these Sacraments should be exceedingly astonished!
Jesus offered His Body for us at Calvary and He spilled His blood for our salvation. He endured the pain and suffering for us and perfectly followed the will of His Father. Jesus continues to offer His Body & Blood for us in the Eucharist, so we may be feed with the food that leads to eternal life. Every time we come to Mass and receive His precious Body & Blood, we should be exceedingly astonished!
And in the same spirit of service that Jesus gives us in this Gospel, we too are called to be Jesus to others by serving those we encounter; our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, even those we do not know. When we follow this example and bring the love of Jesus to others, we are doing all things well.
In the week ahead, after we leave here nourished by the Body & Blood of Jesus, we can ask Jesus to open our eyes, open our ears, touch our hearts and enlighten our minds so we might discover His presence in the ordinary and not so ordinary events of our daily lives. May we never stop seeking Jesus, who continues to do all things well.
Yes, witnessing the birth of my daughter was one of those events that truly was exceedingly astonishing. Every opportunity to hear the Word of God, to celebrate Mass, to receive the Eucharist and to serve our brothers & sisters is a moment we all can agree, is exceedingly astonishing!
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