Jesus' Touch to the Tongue

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 5th Week - Friday*

*Gospel : Mk 7:31-37*

*First Reading : 1 Gn 3:1-8*

*Jesus' Touch to the Tongue*

*1) The man with Speech impediment*

The Gospel of the day has a person who had speech problem. He was not able to speak 

The man was brought to Jesus by few people and they requested Jesus to lay His hand on him and to cure the person 

Jesus touched the tongue of the person and he was able to speak. He was liberated from his speech impediment

So the touch of Jesus is very powerful, which cured the person for his problems

*2) The touch of Jesus*

Throughout the Gospels we clearly see that the touch of Jesus is very powerful

The touch of Jesus ultimately brings a change in our life. Either we touch Jesus or if Jesus touches us, we are made well 

In either case we are the beneficiaries of the touch of Jesus 

*3) The Touch of my tongue by Jesus*

Like the person in the Gospel whose tongue was touched by Jesus, we have many beautiful chances, where Jesus touches our Tongue

*A) Word of God* 

When we proclaim the Word of God, our tongue is touched by Jesus. 

Jesus is truely present in His words. So when we read bible and proclaim it, our tongue is touched by Jesus 

*B) Holy Eucharist*

The Body of Christ, the consecrated Host is the real body of Jesus. 

So when we receive communion our tongue is directly touched by Jesus 

This appears to be the most powerful touch of Jesus 

*C) Prayers*

We spend a lot of time in prayer. While praying we praise and thank God. 

So once again Jesus touches our tongue when we pray 

*D) When we utter the Name of Jesus*

Many times during the day knowingly or unknowingly we say the name of Jesus

Each time when we pronounce the name of Jesus, our tongue is touched by Jesus 

*E) Our Words*

When we speak good words, words which have forgiveness, words which have mercy, love, sacrifice, kindness, faithfulness etc our tongue is touched by Jesus 

So today we have many occasions where Jesus touches our tongue

*4) The result of Jesus' Touch*

The person is freed from the speech impediment

What about me? Many times in a day, Jesus touches my tongue and my entire personality. So what is the result?

Do I still suffer with speech impairments?? 

*5) Various Speech impediments*

Usually we suffer from the flowing Speech impediments 

Gossip

Bad words 

Negative and destructive criticism

Telling lies

Boasting oneself at all times 

Verbal abuse

Shouting and yelling out of anger 

All these are various speech impairments

So which of these are found in my life? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*