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What
the Deaf Can Hear
6-7
September 2003
Fr.
George Smiga
Gospel Mark
7: 31 - 37
Mark Twain has called kindness a language that the deaf can
hear, and the blind can read. What is kindness? It is the
ability to understand another person, sensing the burdens
which that person must carry, and using our own resources
and power to ease those burdens.
When we
first think of it, kindness might come across as a weak feeling,
or a wimpy motivation. But kindness is in reality a forceful
power than can save and heal. Jesus acts with kindness in
today's Gospel. Why do I say this? The clue to Jesus' kindness
is the particular way he chooses to heal the man who is brought
to him. Normally Jesus heals with a word of command. But he
adapts his method in today's gospel because the person who
comes before him cannot hear.
Two thousand
years ago there were no cochlear implants, or hearing aids
or artificial eardrums. There was not even an organized system
of sign language. People who were deaf were isolated, totally
isolated even from those who were closest to them. Therefore,
we do not know whether those who brought the man to Jesus
for healing were able to communicate to him where they were
taking him or why. It is not clear whether the man knew of
Jesus or his ministry. All that is clear was that the man
was ripped out of his normal surroundings and suddenly found
himself in the midst of a crowd of strangers. It is very likely
that he was confused and fearful, uncertain of what was about
to happen. Jesus knew this. Therefore, Jesus acted in a way
to address the needs of the man who was before him. Jesus
first took the man aside, in private, away from the crowd
so the two of them could be alone together. At this point
the man was perhaps already thinking, "Who is this person
trying to put me at ease?" Then, because Jesus was aware
that words were of no use in dealing with a person who could
not hear, he employed the sense of touch. He gently placed
his fingers in the man's ear and touched his tongue. Jesus
knew that this man required more than a powerful word of healing.
He required privacy, sensitivity and a gentle touch. When
Jesus sensed this and acted upon it, he was treating the man
with kindness. He was appreciating what was going on inside
of another person and adapting his own actions to meet that
need.
We are
talented responsible people. From day to day we live, doing
the things which our lives require of us. How important is
it for us not to undervalue the importance of kindness? When
was the last time you were kind? You make decisions with your
spouse, give advice to your spouse. But when was the last
time you tried to understand what was going on inside of your
spouse? When did you see what he or she needed from you and
tried to meet that need? To do so would be an act of kindness.
You provide for your children and give them guidance. When
was the last time you tried to recognize their insecurities
and take steps to assure them of their goodness, their value
and their ability to succeed? To do so would be an act of
kindness. You work every day with co-workers, hopefully being
fair and honest with them. But when was the last time you
saw a potential in another worker and took the time to bring
that gift to the surface and encourage a co-worker to grow
and develop that ability? To do so would not be unimportant;
it would be an act of kindness.
Now of
course, life is more than kindness. There are times when we
need to challenge and confront others. There are many situations
which require tough love. But as we live from day to day,
we should not forget the power that comes from kindness. Kindness
is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can read.
Kindness can cut through hypocrisy and posturing. It can eliminate
indifference and selfishness. How do we decide when to be
challenging and when to be kind? A friend of mind is fond
of saying, "Whenever in doubt, do the kind thing."
This week,
then, as we work and play, as we organize and create, as we
advise and guide others, let us not forget to follow the example
of Jesus in today's gospel. Let us recognize the importance
of understanding others, of sensing what they need, of hearing
their cries for help. Let us not forget to do the kind thing.
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