Isaiah 35: 4-7a James 3: 1-5 Mark 7: 31–37
In both today’s Gospel and also the reading from Isaiah we learn that God is a healer who really wants to be involved in our lives. We know that healing, seeing and speaking are important elements of communication. We have to open our ears, eyes, and voice to communicate with others and also to share our care and compassion for them. We learn so much from other people by hearing their stories and being able to have our own reaction to them.
It is sad to say some people do not want to hear the Good News of others, or share the Good News of others. We know how sinful we can be when we speak ill of others especially not in their presence. All of these elements of communications are gifts of the Lord and we should use them to enhance each other rather than to hurt them.
This goes in so much with Saint James letter. He reminds us that we must see the love of Christ, and the person of Christ in each human being. Jesus made clear God’s desire to heal, to free and to reconcile all of God’s creation. As we hear our brothers and sisters and voice our own fears and concerns, we build up each other in the person of Jesus Christ. If this is so important, as James reminds, how much do we want to help those who are in Special Needs?