Yes. We are Open - Homily 23rd Sunday OTA

(Readings)

(Readings)

We are made by God for good things. Today, the world only wants to see bad, not good.

On Labor Day, I went to the water store to fill up my water bottles. It was late afternoon and I asked the young man working there if he had been busy.  He said, I was the 3^rd customer, all day. He did not know why the owner insisted that they “Be open.”

I needed the store to “be open.” I thanked him for being open and put $5 in the tip jar.

As of Saturday morning, that is all I had for a homily. But, if we will just “be open” the Holy Spirit will speak to us.  

The first voice the deaf man heard was Jesus saying, “Ephphatha.” Be open. Not only did he hear it, he felt it. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” Be open.

Immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment removed, and he spoke plainly. Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.  

After reading the Gospel, and being open to the Holy Spirit, I heard these words from my morning prayer again in my heart: Lord open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

I try to praise him to best of my human failing’s every day. The challenge is for every believer who hears or reads or is told of this to do the same. Everyone, every day pray – Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Yet, look at the contemptuous gossip on the lips of the media and even the church to question if the LORD God, Jesus Christ is receiving praise.  

Instead of praise, we hear of crisis. Abuse, scandal, sin, and accusations cause Bishops, priests, and the faithful to take sides. Similarities can be seen in the uncivility of the country’s political climate. Some say the Church is experiencing civil war. (1) & (2)

And, Satan smiles because this is the devil’s plan. The old axiom of war is divide and conquer; Bishop against Bishop; priest against priest; Church against church; rich against poor; people against people. Satan’s plan is to make us judge our brothers and sisters with evil designs.

St. James warned to show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

Satan tempts us to keep us from “being open” to God. He uses human weaknesses – lust of the eyes, lust of body, and pride - against God, his church, and his people. The deceiver works to change God’s truth to the tempter’s truth, a little at a time.

In the desert, the devil tried Jesus with the same, but failed and departed until an opportune time.

Jesus is still fighting against Satan in the world. He groans to our hearts, “Ephphatha.” Be open. Be open to him. Be open to the Holy Spirit. Be open to praise God and give him thanks.

Jesus is looking for an intimate relationship with each of us. He wants to draw near to us. He wants us to know his touch. He wants us to bring to him, the things we are not able to do: our disability, our suffering, and our deepest needs.

He says to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Your God comes with vindication to save you.

To win this battle against Christ’s Church know Jesus’ word,”Ephphatha.” Be open.

• Be open ears and hear the LORD’s voice.
• Be open lips to proclaim the Word in praise and thanksgiving.
• Be open eyes to see injustice.
• Be open hands to do Gods work.
• Be open feet to carry his Gospel to the world.
• Be open hearts in faith, hope, and love.
• Be open to live a life for the LORD.

Do ministries, pray, and work for justice. Be intimate with Jesus. Be Christ’s Church, the People of God in this world. And, the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; the lame will leap, and the voiceless will sing.

It is through his Church that the LORD works good in the world. He keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, and sets captives free.

Despite what the world tells us; the way of the wicked He thwarts for the LORD shall reign forever; through all generations. Alleluia!!!

Remember, someone-everyone- the world, needs you, the People of God who are the Church to “be open.”

Yes. We are open.

We are made by God for good things. Pray, Lord open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.  Be open to the good things for which we are made by being good, being holy, and preaching the gospel by the way we live and love. Amen.