"...the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it."--Mark 7:35-36 (NAB)
Today's Gospel at Mass was St. Mark's account of the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment. (Mark 7:31-37). I've often been struck by the fact in this passage and in other places that Jesus orders the person He's healed not to tell anyone. Why would He not want people to know? Isn't it natural that they would want to proclaim the wonderful works that He has done? Plus, sometimes He specifically instructs people to tell others what the Lord has done, as in the healing of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20).
I think we get a clue as to what may be behind the prohibition in a healing story earlier in Mark. In Mark 1:40-45, He heals a leper and tells him not to tell anyone. However, "The man went away and began to publicize the whole
matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus
to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere." (v. 45) The former leper's failure to obey had unintended negative consequences. How much this failure hampered Jesus' ministry we'll never know.
There are going to be times when God's will for us isn't the same as what He has for others. It may not make sense to us at all. But if He makes His will clear, then we need to trust Him and obey.
Lord, in Your mercy, please open my ears to hear Your words for me and then give me the humility and trust to obey You. Amen.
