OPEN OUR HEARTS - 02/10/23 (Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin)

Mark 7:32–34

[T]hey brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021023.cfm

Blessed Memorial of St. Scholastica! Some people brought a man who was deaf and unable to speak to our Lord Jesus. He took him aside from the multitude privately, and as Jesus said, "Be opened", he was healed. This act of miraculous healing has many symbols that we can reflect upon in our spiritual life, but before we ponder on it, let's consider how Jesus shows the reversal of the effects of sin. Through baptism, we become adopted children of God, and we were washed from original sin. However, as we grow in life, we encounter temptations that lead us to sins. When we become open to sins, we become spiritually deaf and mute. It's because by continuously falling to sins, we are unable to listen to the voice of God in our hearts and to glorify God in our words and deeds. We became too distracted with many things that made it difficult for us to focus on the Lord and on the path to salvation. Jesus shows us the reversal of this in such a way that if we open our hearts to God, we will begin to listen to His gentle voice and praise Him for His goodness. 

One example whom we can imitate is St. Scholastica. She opened her heart to God from a very young age by dedicating herself to Him and not to worldly things, despite being rich. Her brother, St. Benedict, chose to live as a hermit, then he founded a monastery with a new monastic rule for men who wanted to become monks. St. Scholastica became inspired to follow the example of her brother, and she was given permission from her bishop to enter a home of virgins who wanted to live in accordance to Benedictine rule. She became the abbess, the head, of the home, and she was also given an opportunity to adopt the rule of St. Benedict for the first convent of Benedictine Nuns. Her life was a balance of strict prayer and work for the purpose of glorifying God. Despite the difficulties of her vocation, she was joyful because she was following God's plan for her. When Jesus looked up to heaven before healing the deaf, He was showing to us that we should focus on being with Him in heaven. That's why we want to be detached from sins and to be faithful to God. When Jesus tool the deaf man from the multitude, our Lord was also revealing to us that we should stay away from temptations and bad influence in the world for us to be more attentive to His voice. We can listen to Christ in our prayers, especially as we reflect on our sins, on the virtues we desire to have, on the Word of God and on many events in our lives. Despite our spiritual illness, Jesus loves us that if we open our hearts, we will be healed. May our spiritual healing bring change in our lives and help us deepen our relationship with Him for the glory of God. 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Saint Scholastica, Virgin—Memorial:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/february-10-saint-scholastica-virgin/

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth