Serve One Another

In today’s Gospel we read that Jesus touched a man’s ear and suddenly the man could hear.  He then touched the man’s tongue and the man could then speak. He made the deaf hear and the mute speak.  If only Jesus would do the same for all of us who need his healing power.

Well, Jesus does through the miracle of bread and wine that we call our Eucharist – the body and blood of Christ.  It heals us.  In a way it makes us hear that we are all loved by God through God’s son Jesus.  In a way it makes us speak to remind those around us that we need care, compassion, and love.  For those who physically cannot speak, Jesus speaks for us and says, “care for each other; love one another.”

Here’s a story to help us better understand the Gospel.  A blind man and a lame man happened to come at the same time to very bad piece of road with ruts and rocks and much uneven ground. The blind man begged the lame man to guide him through his difficulties.

“How can I do that?” asked the lame man, “as I am scarcely able to drag myself along.  But if you were to carry me, I can warn you about anything in the way. My eyes will be your eyes and your feet will be mine.”  

“With all my heart,” replied the blind man. “Let us serve one another.”  Taking his lame companion on his back, they traveled with safety and pleasure.

That’s how we all travel with safety and pleasure.  We help each other. When we do, it’s as if we are riding on Jesus’ shoulders. We carry him, especially through the Eucharist; and he carries us.

Deacon David Pierce