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| “Saint Scholastica, Artist and date are UNKNOWN |
Commentary:[3]
Commentary on Gn 3:1-8
Genesis provides the account of “The Fall.” We hear how mankind fell from grace through Original Sin. The account of temptation by the serpent is given. The serpent (personification of evil) first distorts the truth to tempt the woman, telling her that there would be no punishment. It then tells her that she would become like God. The use of the serpent to represent fallen human nature is probably a reference to the serpent used in pagan fertility rituals at the time. The serpent is one of the “beasts of the field” named by man and is not intrinsically evil.
CCC: Gn 3 390, 2795; Gn 3:1-5 391; Gn 3:1-11 397; Gn 3:3 1008; Gn 3:5 392, 398, 399, 1850; Gn 3:6 2541, 2847; Gn 3:7 400; Gn 3:8-10 29
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R. (1a) Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Commentary on Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
Psalm 32 is an individual hymn of thanksgiving. The psalmist (presumably King David) sings a song of gratitude that the Almighty Father has pardoned his sins (which were freely confessed). In spite of these blemishes, salvation is heaped upon the repentant person.
Providing hope for mankind following the story of “The Fall,” the psalmist is rejoicing for the one whose sins are forgiven. Then he gives thanks for God’s saving work, emphasizing that only the Lord can deliver man from sin.
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Gospel: Mark 7:31-37
Commentary on Mk 7:31-37
Returning from his encounter with the Syrophoenician woman, the Lord now heals the deaf mute. This action, especially the wording of the final quote; (“He has done all things well, he makes the deaf hear and the mute speak”) which is a paraphrase from Isaiah 35:5-6, demonstrates the fulfillment of prophecy.
The Lord’s actions are sacramental in nature. That is, they accomplish what they signify. As the Lord takes the man aside, he puts his fingers into the man’s mouth and ears. He then sighs or groans (rather than in prayer) looking heavenward, demonstrating his intimate relationship to the father, and says, “ephphetha!” or “be opened."
This passage has two unusual characteristics. First, the Lord takes the man aside, in private, implying something private was offered by the Messiah. Next, after his cure was affected he tells the man not to tell anyone. However, not only does the man continue to do so, but proclaims it. We are given the sense that the event taking place is significant in that it is pointedly revelatory, citing a new creation (cf Genesis 1:31).
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Reflection:
The scripture readings we are given today are all tied together in an event we share, our Baptism in the Lord. In the first reading from Genesis we hear the story of “The Fall.” Mankind falls from grace by violating God’s expectation of obedience. The Original Sin is thrust upon mankind. (See also “Reflections on the Fall”)
Following the story of the fall from grace, Psalm 32 rejoices because God can and does wash the stain of sin away. Happy are those for whom this has been done, cries the author.
Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus cures the deaf mute. In doing so he opens the man’s ears and lips, pronouncing the word “Ephphetha.” In doing so he reveals his saving power.
Original Sin is the driving reason for our tradition of baptizing infants. The absence of Original Sin was the gift given to Mary, the Mother of God, whose womb was free from all sin. Baptism restores us to grace by wiping away that fallen nature initiated in the Genesis story. In it we are adopted through Christ and made children of God. Echoing the words of the psalmist, we rejoice because “Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.”
If it has been a while since you have attended a baptism, let me refresh your memory a bit. Following the sacramental bath, that also does what it symbolizes, and following the anointing with Chrism and the vesting with the white garment, the celebrant goes to the child. He says:
“The Lord Jesus made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your lips to proclaim his faith, to the glory of God the Father. Amen”
The prayer is called the Ephphetha and we remember this very special event with that prayer each time a child is baptized in the Church. It recalls to us our adoption, not only as children of God, but disciples with all the responsibilities that go with it.
Today we thank God for our gift of Baptism and pray that the strength given in that sacrament will help us face the challenges of discipleship.
Pax
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