September 8, 2024 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Things to talk about:

• What is the difference between hearing and listening? What are the qualities that make someone a good listener?
• Imagine you are the man in the story. What is it like to encounter Jesus so intimately?
• Think about the people who brought the deaf man to Jesus. How are we called to be like them?
• Why do you think Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone about the healing?

Things to do:

• The lectors and the priest or deacon proclaim the Word of God from the ambo. Where is the ambo located in your parish?
• Look for opportunities this week to defend someone who is being treated unfairly.
• Learn about these two people in history who experienced hearing loss and have done great things. 
• Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most famous composers that ever lived. He was profoundly deaf, but that didn’t stop him from composing his world-renowned music. Beethoven had lost 60% of his hearing by the age of 31 and became completely deaf at 46. Beethoven continued to write music even when deaf. He wrote his famous 5^th Symphony as he was losing his hearing. You can listen to a 7-minute excerpt of this piece here: https://www.classicsforkids.com/lesson-plan/ludwig-van-beethoven/.
• Thomas Edison was quite possibly the greatest inventor of all time. Many of his inventions have improved the quality of our modern day lives. During his career Edison’s inventions included the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. Thomas Edison was completely deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other. He believed that his deafness was a benefit to his work, as it would help keep conversations short so that he could have more time for work! Read more about Greenfield Village/Edison’s Laboratory.

Closing Prayer

5 Finger Prayer

In this Gospel of Jesus uses his finger to heal the deaf man. Pope Francis created a 5-Finger prayer where each finger has a specific intention. Name the intention for that finger and then allow family members to share any intentions they have in that area.

·    Thumb: Pray for those closest to you.

·    Index Finger: Pray for those who heal, and teach you, that God may help them as they direct others.

·       Middle Finger: Pray for those in authority, like our government leaders, that God may guide them.

·       Ring Finger: Pray for the weak among us—the poor, the sick, the excluded, and those facing other difficulties.

·       Pinkie Finger: Pray for yourself. It is easier to pray for your needs once you have prayed for the other four areas. 

Name those who need our prayers. Pray the Hail Mary.

Catholic Insights

Ephphatha (ef’-a-tha ) is an Aramaic word meaning, “Be opened,.” that Jesus said when he cured the deaf man with the speech impediment.

To hear God’s  Word, we must open our ears, more importantly, we must open our hearts.

Like the man in the Gospel, there are things that get in the way of our ability to hear and speak. Listening can also mean hearing with our hearts.

Every time we come to Mass, we hear the Word of God and let the message work within us. But we really have to listen and hear with our hearts. When we are ready to receive God’s Word, we are filled with the need to share it with others by what we say and do.

Interestingly, at Baptisms, part of the rite includes the priest/deacon touching the persons ears and saying “Ephphatha.” We pray for the baptized to be open to the Word of God.

If you could choose one message to speak about God, what would you say? 

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On September 8, we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary’s Birthday. Click HERE for some ideas to celebrate Mary’s birthday. Below is a video showing how to draw symbols for Mary.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection