Firstly, let me add my best wishes to all fathers, grandfathers, male carers, and role models for a happy Father’s Day today. My hope for you is despite our current restrictions you get to reflect on, and enjoy, your important role with those whom you love and love you– in person or virtually.
Today’s gospel reminds me of the importance of being truly present in whichever situation we find ourselves in. Jesus healed a man with physical impediments to his hearing and speech, but how often do we find ourselves not really focusing on the people that we are engaging with? How often are we not really hearing? Or speaking plainly?
When we are too worried about what happened yesterday, or what might happen tomorrow, we often miss out on the richness of the current moment and the opportunity for impact - to create a new relationship, or build on an existing one.
And in these times of such social isolation, disconnection, and uncertainty, truly listening and engaging with a person who ‘needs an ear’, in whatever way restrictions allow, may just be the ‘miracle’ they need. Maybe this week we can challenge ourselves to reach out to someone whom we haven’t connected with in a while with open ears and a freed tongue.