In mysterious ways

There is word that comes to mind when many hear today’s Gospel (Mark 7:31-37):

The word is Yuck.

He put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue.

Our Lord in his earthly ministry heals other people with just a word (sometimes from a great distance) or with a touch of his cloak.

Why does he go through these strange and unsanitary actions here?

One aspect of this is that our Lord is essentially adapting the language of gesture from that time and place, for this is how faith healers often sought to heal their patients.

Undoubtedly our Lord had a special reason to use these familiar gestures. Indeed, his use of these gestures had an effect: not just on the man who was healed, but also on the crowd.

They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
“He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

The Lord works in mysterious ways, it is said, but sometimes he also works in familiar and even grungy ways.

So too we may find the Lord working in our life.

So too may the Lord work through us, who may not be skilled or glamorous, but who by his grace are faithful to his truth, his work and his love.