Mark 7:24-37 (NRSVUE)
They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 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 his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
1 Corinthians 10:24 (NRSVUE)
Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other.
Devotion
Do not trouble with the evil actions of others. For their hearts are courted by demons rather than the Lord. Ignore the faults in others as well as your own limitations. The only salvation for man lies through service. Desire only the best for our neighbors and pray earnestly on their behalf. “Do not seek your own advantage.” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
By letting go of our own cares, we are not taking a step back during Lent as one would assume. Rather, we are stepping forward toward our neighbors with shining eyes finally seeing the world around us. An immersive experience. Look to the missing piece in your neighbor and help him to find his sense of whole.
True service is about putting our neighbors above ourselves that they may know joy and peace before we do. Truly spreading good news is spreading goodness in another’s life. No one can feel the love of God’s presence without first knowing the feeling of being loved. Let us show that love which kindles our neighbor’s heart that he might recognize that his joy is springing up from the Lord. Jesus did not heal the deaf man because he was deaf. Jesus healed the man because his fellows asked on behalf of him and kindled the very belief which left the man receptive to Jesus. By then all Jesus had to say was “Be opened,” (Mark 7:34) and the man heard and was opened to the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, open our hearts to you first and then to our fellows. Let us each be a wellspring of your love, and caring, upon which humanity may draw upon liberally. Fill us that we may be poured out in service to our fellows. Let all who have heard your song be joyful. For he who has sung out your praises before his fellows is truly your servant. Let those who give receive and let those who have been forgotten be adored. Let us never be parted from you in our hearts. In the name of your son, we share the good news that our salvation has already been provided for and we are saved. Amen.
Madison Kloster