By Praveen Bandula csc –
Readings: Gen 3:1-8; Mk 7:31-37
The readings of the day are reminding us to hear the word of God and not listen to evil. By listening to God we will be living in the presence of God. If we listen to Satan we will lose the blessings that God wants us to enjoy in his presence. The first reading is very clear in presenting what happens if we disobey God’s commands. Evil words and ways look very attractive and pleasure giving. But the end of evil life is missing the presence of God in our lives.
We are created in the image and likeness of God to enjoy the presence of God in our lives and to spread his love to all. Once we fall in the traps of Satan we may lose our blessings.
In the Gospel reading we read Jesus performing miracle by healing a deaf man. By saying the word ‘Ephphatha’ Jesus opens the ears of deaf. Here, Jesus comes as a savoir to reunite us with God the Father. Our first parents listen to his commandments and disobeyed him and lost the privilege to stay in the Garden of Eden. Garden of Eden also can refer to the kingdom of God, because there is only joy and no pain. Today the mother church is inviting us to be open to the voice of God and hear what he says and to live always in the presence of God. So, let us always be open to hear him and experience him every day of our lives.