Homilies & Thoughts

In this story of physical healing, we are directed to a much deeper reality—the sacramentality of the world. Sacramentality means that the physical world is a window into God’s presence and action. In the sacraments of the Church, we see this clearly: water becomes the means of new life in baptism; bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. But sacramentality goes beyond the sacraments themselves—it is woven into the fabric of the world. In the gospel, the man’s ears are opened, and his tongue is freed. Jesus uses the physical—his hands, his spittle, his voice—to bring healing. This is not incidental. God works through the created world to bring about salvation.

I love the book of Deuteronomy. It is such a personal and hope filled work. Deuteronomy presents itself as a letter from Moses to his people. They have already escaped from Egypt and their forty years of journeying in the desert have come to an end. The Hebrew people now stand just outside the land of Canaan, their homeland, their promised land. As they stand upon the mountains and look upon their home, there is joy but there is also a twinge of sadness. Moses is dying. He will not make it home. His final act is to write a letter to his people that he has journeyed with for a lifetime.

This gospel is a sorrowful reflection on humanity’s response to Jesus’ offer of himself. While his Eucharistic speech may seem like just one teaching that is being rejected, it is actually a culmination of all his teachings, a summary of the entirety of his message. When many of his disciples walk away, they are not merely rejecting this single idea, but rather abandoning everything Jesus has taught them.

It is natural to wonder why they would make such a choice. Jesus’ teachings are centered on love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and mercy - ideals that seem universally desirable. Who wouldn’t want to live in a world where everyone loves and cares for one another? Yet, as we look around us, it becomes clear that many people prioritize greed and selfishness over the well-being of others.