Ephphatha

You know that thing I wrote some weeks ago about "on EARTH as IT is IN heaven?" Well, today is a nod to that as we look at another text, which got me thinking a little differently. In Mark 7:34, Jesus is "looking into heaven."

I know that more translations interpret this part of the scripture as looking up to heaven, but I like to consider the Greek possibilities here. "Up" is a proper option, yet considering my current frame of mine the "into" language of the CEB translation resonates. There is still a sense of looking to something greater or higher in this choice, but it invites consideration that that higher place is not in some distant, far-off location. It's tangible and accessible right where we are.

So, I wonder if Jesus "sighed deeply and said, "Ephphatha," which means, "Open up."" in Mark 7:34 in more ways than the natural eye can see. What if the invitation and answer to Jesus was an opening of the divide between the earthy rules and the divine mystery of heavenly existence which resided in him as it does in us by the Holy Spirit.

As I prepare to do today's live-stream prayer moment on day 28 of our 31 days of prayer this month, I invite you to consider Jesus' actions. He said, "Open up," as he was healing a deaf man who could hardly speak. He didn't just look into heaven but breathed and breathed deeply, expressing a sigh built up within himself in words that extended the holy into the man's being. He didn't just say "Ephphatha"; he felt it, breathed it, and shared it. May we all find ways to bring to light and speak truth to power in others' lives today as we open up the windows of heaven and pour out blessings in our words and actions.