Lord,
today at Mass
we hear about a deaf man
with a speech impediment.
Friends or family
presented this man to you,
asking you
to lay your hands on him.

I find myself wondering
about this man –
a man unable to hear your words
because he was deaf –
a man unable to ask for help
because he simply couldn’t speak.

His family and friends
were advocates for him
and through their intercession
his eyes were opened
and he was healed.

Tonight
I find myself wondering
whether there are people
for whom I should be advocate?
People who need your help
but who, for one reason or another,
are unable to ask for help themselves?
People, perhaps,
whom I mightn’t even like?

Lord, this evening,
open my eyes to see,
my ears to hear
and my heart to listen
to what you are calling me to do
for others.

(Mark 7: 31-37)

© Claire Murray, 6th September 2015