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Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time II

Mark 7:31-37

Summary: In the Decapolis, Jesus healed a deaf man with a speech impediment through a personal, tactile gesture and the command "Ephphatha," meaning "Be opened." Despite Jesus' request for discretion, the healed man's story was widely shared, leading to public awe at Jesus' power to heal and restore.

Gospel Acclamation: Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son. (Acts 16:14b)

Miracle in the Decapolis

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.

He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”)

And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

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