They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech;
and they begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him aside in private, away from the crowd,
and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue.
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him,
“Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
—Mark 7.32-34
Be opened, ears
that I may hear
what the Beloved is whispering to me.
Be opened, lips
that I may sing
of the grace I behold.
Be opened, heart,
to the mystery that unfolds,
the love that abounds.
Be opened, friend,
to me, and who I am,
and who you may be.
Be opened. mind,
to all that exceeds
what you already know.
Be opened, soul,
to this world
and its grace.
Be opened, self,
to be healed,
to be changed.
Be opened, heavens,
to receive us,
to commune here with us.
Let this be today’s prayer:
Ephphatha!
Be opened!
—September 5, 2018