This morning’s text in Mark’s gospel (Ch 7) of the cure of the man with hearing loss and a speech impediment is one of my favorites for two reasons. First, Jesus uses very human methods to accomplish the healing. “He put his finger into the man’s ears, and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned…” (as if it took some effort, some energy moving through him to the man to effect the healing). I can hear teenagers (and maybe “other-agers” too) reacting to those methods with “oohh! gross!!” I think, though, that Jesus was trying to make a point about faith and the ability to heal. Secondly, I hold this text dear because of the command of Jesus directly to the man’s ears and mouth. He says, “Be opened!” We use this in the baptismal rite where the celebrant blesses the ears and mouth of the one to be baptized saying, “May your ears be open to hear the word of God and your mouth speak this word always.” (a paraphrase)
Today I will listen carefully to the word of God spoken in my encounters with others as well as within my heart and I will attempt to speak God’s word with my lips and in my life.
The Sophia Center for Spirituality 
I usually drive right by the homeless. This Lenten Season I will stop and give the man $20.