Our Gospel presents us with the healing of the man who was deaf and dumb. This healing harkens back to the Prophet Isaiah who stated: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” We can thus see the abundance of God’s grace which was poured out upon this man in fulfillment of the scriptures.
This miracle relates to the sacraments. A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ which bestows grace. In the midst of each sacrament there is something called matter and form.
Matter is the symbol which is being expressed within the sacramental action. For example, in the Eucharist we have unleavened bread and wine, in baptism we have the pouring of water, and in the anointing of the sick we have the anointing of oil upon the forehead and palms.
Form is the words which are to be used. For example, in the Eucharist is the words of institution, in baptism we have the command “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” and in anointing of the sick we have “May the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit; May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”
Through the healing of the deaf and mute man we are given this glimpse into the sacramental life of the Church. Matter is used when the Lord puts His finger in the ear, spits, and touches His tongue. Form is used when the Lord commands, “Ephatha!”
We must remember that the Lord works through His Church by the celebration of the sacraments. Christ is the primary minister of the sacraments and continues to be present with us in the sacraments. There is a grave temptation to believe that we are able to do something on our own. Instead we must remember that the Lord continues to be present with us and continues to provide us with the grace which is necessary to lead us to conquer every failure, disappointment, and discouragement of this life.
What was given to the man who was left deaf and dumb was a gift. This is the same gift that we receive through the outpouring of God’s grace. From this gift we grow and bear the abundant fruit of holiness in order that we may always give praise and glory to God. Let us come to appreciate this gift in order that we may always allow our heart to be open to do the will of God in order that we to may be opened to receive God’s grace.
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