My grandmother was wise…or at least she seemed to be. She would say things that she herself had learned – God only knows where – and when and then, she tried to pass them on to others…
Some made sense…other’s not so much.
Quicker than a bunny rabbit – I got. But around the corner with chains on…I never did get. Perhaps it made more sense in German. We had snow tires…but I never remember chains being on tires…except in Colorado.
But then, there was stuff like, “A still tongue makes a wise heart.” That was one you had to think about for a while.
Let me say that one again, “A still tongue makes a wise heart.”
To me, it sounded proverbial like it was straight out of the Bible or something. It was not! …Although the same sentiment can be found there…
But that was usually accompanied by an old poem.
“The wise old owl sat on the oak.
The more he listened, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard.
Why can’t we be like that wise old bird?”
Come to find out – that one was actually a part of an English children’s nursery rhyme coming out of the 1800’s.
It was quoted by John D. Rockefeller, at one point.
And it was even used during World War II – in the campaign for secrecy…right along with “loose lips – sink ships!”
I got it. Talk less and listen more. Not bad advice, but it is so hard to do!!!!
The texts for tonight tell us that we should not be closed, but rather, “be open.”
We are to open up ourselves to each new encounter…to each new possibility.
We are to be present in each and every moment and not be somewhere else deep in thought.
We are to listen deeply.
We are to speak plainly.
We are to be engaged in each and every moment of time.
Being present in the moment and with another person, takes time and effort, it takes concentration. It takes work.
One of the things we are supposed to take away from this gospel text is – Jesus’ solidarity with those in pain and distress at their plight…no matter who they are…or where they come from…
He is present with them and does what he can, to ease their pain or discomfort. When Jesus is confronted by someone – it is like they are the only two people in the world.
“The other” takes on – that kind of significance and importance. It is, as if, no one else is around, no one else is important. You are locked into that moment of time.
Speaking of which, Mark does a very cool thing that no other gospel writer does. Tonight’s gospel is the second of three episodes in which Jesus is quoted directly using the Aramaic language. The common everyday language of the streets… Slang, if you will…
The first time, we hear the words Talitha cum – in the story of the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Talitha cum means “rise up, little girl.” It is also the same word that will be used later in Jesus’ own resurrection. He rises up – or is raised!
The final one is “Eloi, Eloi lama sabachtani” – or “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” The use of the Aramaic here, calls attention to Jesus’ sense of abandonment on the cross.
Tonight, we receive almost like a gift from the past, the Hebrew-Aramaic word, “Ephphatha” – meaning “to be open.” Jesus seems to be saying – “Open your hearts and your minds.” Do not be closed minded. These are all gifts.
I am sure you will agree with me – that daily we are supposed to be growing in wisdom.
Daily we are prayerfully growing in divine and human favor.
Daily we are to increase our love for God and neighbor.
Daily we are to grow in grace and faith.
Daily we are to be expanding our circle of compassion for those in need.
We are to become more inclusive, not less inclusive.
And daily we are to deepen our connection to all of life. We all exist on this fragile planet together.
We are to care about what others have to say.
Our word is not the final word.
You can do none of those things if you are closed up tighter than a drum.
The call of the gospel is for us to be “open” and maybe, just maybe, that means listening more…and speaking a little bit less…
What do you think?