In today’s gospel, Jesus performs the miracle of restoring the ability to hear and the ability to speak to a man who was born deaf and dumb. Our Lord manifests his power. Immediately following Our Lord’s command, “Be opened,” the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. And the crowds are exceedingly astonished at what he has done. Indeed, they respond with the utmost approval: “he has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
This miracle attracts both the attention and the approval of the crowds. The absence of miracles today can also, at times, contribute to sentiments of disappointment in the contemporary world. Miracles are not a common occurrence in the twenty-first century. Many people suffer from physical ailments. Friends and family members pray for their healing, but such healing often does not occur. Thus, many of us can be left with the question: why does the Jesus who healed so many during his earthly life and ministry seem to heal so few today?
If we return our attention to today’s gospel, we notice that Jesus orders the crowds “not to tell anyone” about the miracle he performed. Why does he forbid them to speak of his ability to perform miracles? Certainly, Jesus is not ashamed about the miracles that he performs. Why, then, does he command the crowds not to promulgate the news of these miracles?
The answer: Jesus came to do something far greater than miracles. Jesus did not come merely to restore natural life and physical health. He came to give the world something infinitely greater.
Jesus does have compassion for the suffering of his people—then and now. Jesus does perform miracles that restore physical abilities—even today, even if infrequently. Nonetheless, Jesus came to give us something far more precious than the mere restoration of human life and capacities: he came to give his own divine life to us. In other words, Jesus came to save us.
The crowd disregards the Lord’s command. Indeed, “the more he ordered them not” highlight his miracle abilities, “the more they proclaimed it.” This is unfortunate. For, ultimately, it distracts from his real ability: the ability to save. To give eternal life.
The forgiveness of sins is the most important thing that Jesus did—and continues to do. Even today, Jesus continues his work of salvation—sharing his own body, blood, soul, and divinity with the world through the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. The greatest thing that Jesus gave to the world was his own life on the Cross. And through the seven sacraments of the Church Jesus continues to share his own life with the world.
The seven sacraments are things that we often don’t proclaim from the rooftops. And this is most unfortunate. Because these are the very things that most merit our attention and proclamation. These are the most important things that Jesus does—even today. Natural life is a gift, it is true. Miracles—that restore the capacities of natural life—are indeed precious gifts from God. Nonetheless, they pale in comparison to the most amazing gift that Jesus gave us and that he continues to give: himself. Jesus is our salvation. This is his supreme gift. This is what we should proclaim to the world far and wide. Jesus Christ is Lord—and he is the Lord who saves!
Jesus loves us such that he wishes to give us something much more than physical health only. He wishes to give us spiritual health—nothing less than a share in his own divine life. And this gift—the gift of Jesus himself—is infinitely more precious than any miracle. Miracles restore naturally good things. Grace imparts supernatural goods. Through the graces of the seven sacraments, we encounter Jesus himself.
Thus, may today’s gospel instill within our hearts an appreciation of this precious truth: Jesus never ceases to give us himself, the greatest of all goods. This is what Jesus wants to contemplate: himself. The greatest gift. The saving gift.
And may we never cease to proclaim this precious truth to all those whom we encounter.
