Ephphatha!

I love this story from Mark’s Gospel…

Jesus then…went on through Sidon to Lake Galilee. Some people brought him a man who was deaf and could hardly speak, and they begged Jesus to place his hands on him. So Jesus took him off alone, away from the crowd, put his fingers in the man's ears, spat, and touched the man's tongue.

Then Jesus looked up to heaven, gave a deep groan, and said to the man,  “Ephphatha” which means, Open up! At once the man was able to hear, his speech impediment was removed, and he began to talk without any trouble. Then Jesus ordered the people not to speak of it to anyone; but the more he ordered them not to, the more they told it. And all who heard were completely amazed. How well he does everything! they exclaimed.
He even causes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak!

I remember my Dad telling the story to me when I was really little, and getting me to say “Ephphatha!” and showing me that even someone who was deaf would be able to lip-read that important instruction.

I have been thinking about this story a lot this week – I have a mild infection and I am quite deaf in my left ear. It’s only a minor problem and will soon be sorted – but the fact that my balance is affected [no running] and listening is difficult [so limited radio] means I am not doing some things I usually do. It is good for me – it is making me aware of how people with this sort of impairment are restricted all the time.

I spoke to my SIL on the phone – my brother also  has an ear infection this week, but he is deaf in his right ear. How bizarre!