What did you say?…

Open with Prayer: God, we thank you for this time together, for the technology that makes it possible, and the hearts that connect us. Be with us as we travel, join us in this journey, and help us see and hear you always. Amen.

Read: Mark 7:31-37

Then Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 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’, (Eff’-rath-a) that is, ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’

Ask: How do you think the man felt when he could suddenly hear?
What do you think was the first thing he heard?
What sounds do you think surprised him the most?
What is your favorite sound?

How do you think the man felt when he could suddenly talk?
What do you think was the first thing he said?

We can pray for people who need to be physically healed, like the man in today’s story.  We can also find ways to make people with disabilities welcome and included.  For example, blind people are taught braille so they can read and write with their fingers.  Deaf people are taught sign language so they can communicate quickly and easily.

The Episcopal Conference for the Deaf began more than 150 years ago – when the Rev Thomas Gallaudet began services in sign language in New York City in 1852. They have helped the church to adapt to include Deaf people in all parts of life. They even changed some of the prayers: when they pray, instead of “Lord hear our prayer”, they sign “Lord receive our prayer.” God doesn’t have to be able to hear to be near us and with us.

Finish with Prayer:

God, thank you for receiving our prayers. We thank you for doctors and scientists who work to heal our bodies, and for friends and family who help heal our hearts.
God today we thank you for: (something or someone you’re grateful for)
God today we need your help with: (something hard or difficult you need to do)
God today please be with: (someone who may be sick, sad, or hurt)
We ask all this in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Note for adults/parents/caregivers/grownups
In writing this week’s lesson I tried to avoid language that made it seem like the deaf and mute man was lesser or somehow not whole until Jesus healed him. This comes from my reading of “My Body is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church” by Dr. Amy Kenny. This powerful book reminded me that those Jesus heals in the Gospels were only changed physically. They were beloved children of God and image bearers of the divine when they were crippled, or deaf, or blind, or lepers and they are beloved children of God and image bearers of the divine after Jesus heals them.