"And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened." Mark 7:33 - 34, Gospel Lesson for The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Fr. Scott's sermon discussed the Gospel lesson for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity (Mark 7:31 - 37. BCP p. 206). Fr. Scott discusses two aspects of the miracle described in these verses. First why did our Lord put His fingers in the man's ears, why did He touch the man's tongue, and why did He spit? The Jewish culture during our Lord's time viewed spit as a bit of person's life force or vitality. Many healing recipes of this time called for the spit of the healer. The deaf and mute man seeing our Lord point to his ears, touch his tongue, and spit knew that our Lord intended to heal him. Our Lord did not need to do any of these actions to heal this man, but He knew what this man needed and met him where he was. Sometimes our Lord has to come to us and point out what He is about to do. He will do for us what we need from Him.
Another interesting feature of the Gospel lesson is the emotions that come through from our Lord. The text says that Christ looks to heaven and sighs as if to look to God and say "Here is another one of our children suffering." Then our Lord, the very Word of God speaks directly to this man, saying the Aramaic word 'Ephphatha'. Since our Lord did not need to speak, this was either what that man needed or what someone around them needed. God wants to touch us as He did this man. Through the giving of His body in the Eucharist, we hear the words of our Lord and are touched by God on our tongues. Receive Him with thanks and rejoice God chose to visit us this Sunday!
Please find Fr. Scott's complete, beautiful sermon at the 19:55
minute mark at the following link:
Thank you Fr. Scott for your very thoughtful sermon!
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In Christian Education Fr. Scott discussed the third Ecumenical Council, the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. The Council was called by the Emperor Theodosius II at the request of the Archbishop of Constantinople, Nestorius. Nestorius believed Mary should be called the Christokos (bearer of Christ ) rather than the traditional title of Theotokos (bearer of God). Nestorius believed that Theotokos implied a blending of Jesus’ divine and human natures whereas Christokos, described the separation of Jesus’ two natures. The Council decided against Nestorius and confirmed the incarnation of Jesus Christ in one substance: God and man were one. Ultimately, Nestorius was excommunicated and exiled. Next week Fr. Scott will discuss the fourth Ecumenical Council, the Council of Chalcedon.
Thank you Fr. Scott for that very interesting lesson on the history of the early Church!
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After services we enjoyed the wonderful light lunch Rose Marie brought including sandwiches, cheeses, crackers, fresh strawberries, and homemade cookie cake! Thank you, Rose Marie!
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After many years of service, Earl is stepping down from assisting Fr. Scott with Holy Communion services. His last service helping with Holy Communion is on Sunday, August 29. Please join us for that special service for Earl. And for some special Earl approved dining afterwards!
Sue and Scott, our wonderfully talented musical couple, are playing some of the music for this special service! Thank you, both!
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Greg, on one of his last few days home before returning to school, helped me remove and dispose of the old massive TV from the basement storage room! This is the first of many steps in converting the vesting room into a dual purpose room for vesting and youth Christian Education. Thank you Greg for the help!
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