Ephphatha

In tomorrow's Gospel reading Jesus heals a man who is deaf and mute. But the healing takes place with some extra work on Jesus' part. Mark's Gospel tells us

He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

So why putting his fingers in the man's ears and spitting and touching the man's tongue? If the question is who needed those extra touches, Jesus or the deaf and mute man, I think it was the man in need of healing who needed more. I'm prepared to be wrong, but as this is Jesus who was amazed at the faith of the Centurion who asked that Jesus just say the word rather than come to his house, I won't be wrong by much. Perhaps this is just because I guess I might have needed something more than a word, something physical as well.

What do you think? Could you be healed without Jesus even coming near, or would you need something more?

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor + King of Peace Episcopal Church