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Be Opened


The Gospel reading this Sunday, reminds me of my pastoral exposure in Bangladesh in 2019. Being a doer and an active person what was difficult to accept was the fact that I could not do so much at all in my new environment. For one, the language made it challenging for me to convey, and share the things I am good at. Often times I was disappointed because I felt limited, and unproductive. I was trying hard to bring and introduce new stuffs and new ways of doing things like in the Philippines. It was frustrating! Eventually, I realized that I was battling with myself – I was trying very hard and waiting for the perfect opportunity to be impressive. I gathered that I did not have to be super me, I just had to be open to my new environment. 
 
Many of us are maybe in a situation where we have to stop clinging on something or someone. Being open can be hard because it means letting go of aspects of our past – aspects of us.  It also means letting go of our expectations of how things should have been. Sometimes we do need to close some doors in our life, whatever it is: physical, emotional, financial, academic, career, or relational; whatever the difficulty we face – and be open for new doors, new opportunities. 
 
The painful past and experiences in life may have hardened our hearts, and minds. They have made us deaf, blind, or closed to new beginnings, new ideas, new experiences, and new beliefs, and norms. Like the deaf man in the Gospel, may Jesus open our ears, eyes, hearts and minds to these new possibilities. 
 
Openness is a trait we are all capable of, just in different levels. Others may be more open in one aspect, but less open in another. One person can be more open to tolerating and accepting the beliefs of others, but less open to seeking new experiences and trying out new things.
 
Reflect, today, in our life’s journey, there have been and perhaps there still are many things that have hindered us from hearing and living out God’s word in our lives.  God is whispering to us: Ephphatha (Be opened)!
by Fr. Jericho Venarta, OMI


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