Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we gather this 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, we are reminded of God’s power to heal and transform us, not just physically but spiritually. Today’s Gospel recounts the miraculous healing of a deaf mute, an act that signifies much more than physical restoration (cf. Mk 7:31-37). It is a sign of God’s love opening our hearts to His Word, loosening our tongues to profess our faith, and calling us to action.
At the 1984 National Prayer Breakfast, President Ronald Reagan shared the story of Telemachus, a little monk who, through an act of immense courage, brought an end to the cruel gladiatorial games in ancient Rome. When Telemachus jumped into the arena and cried out, “In the name of Christ, hold back!” he gave his life to stop the inhumanity. His sacrifice opened the eyes and ears of the Roman people and their Emperor, who, moved by Telemachus’ bravery, abolished the games.
This story reminds us that God uses ordinary people to perform extraordinary acts of love and justice. Like Telemachus, we are called to be the voice for the voiceless, to open our hearts to hear God’s word, and to act with courage in the face of injustice.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a man who could neither hear nor speak. This miracle is more than just physical healing—it represents the spiritual transformation we all need. Many of us can hear and speak physically, but how often are we deaf to God’s word or silent in our faith? Jesus desires to open the ears of our hearts so that we may truly listen to His voice. He loosens our tongues, that we may boldly speak of His love and mercy to a world that desperately needs to hear it.
In our modern world, we are often distracted by the noise and chaos around us. Like the crowds in Telemachus’ time, we can become blind and deaf to the cries of the poor, the suffering, and the marginalized. Jesus’ touch invites us to open our hearts and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. His touch empowers us to share His love with others, bringing hope and healing where it is needed most.
As our nation prepares to enter another election season, now more than ever, we are called to exercise our rights and responsibilities with the wisdom and compassion of our faith. We are asked to be the voice of the voiceless in choosing the next generation of civic leaders. We must remember those who often go unheard—the pre-born children whose lives are threatened, the orphans longing for love, the disabled who are marginalized, the elderly facing loneliness, and the poor who are struggling to survive. In standing up for them, we stand up for Christ Himself, bringing His healing and hope to our society.
Let us, then, be like the man in today’s Gospel. Let us seek Jesus, allowing Him to open our ears and loosen our tongues. Let us listen more attentively to His word, speak more boldly of His love, and act with greater compassion towards the least among us. In serving them, we become the voice of the voiceless, bringing the healing presence of Christ to a world that is in desperate need of His love.
May God bless us all as we continue to grow in faith, courage, and love.
In Christ,
Msgr. Cuong M. Pham