Thank you for joining us on this Catholic Sleep Meditation. This podcast was created through the support of the Mission Circle, a community that helps Catholics understand, live, and share their faith. To become a member, click on the link in the description below. Welcome to the Bedtime Story. Jesus opens the way, based on Mark chapter 7. Good evening. In this Amen Bedtime Story, we'll hear how Jesus healed a man who could neither hear or speak. We'll hear how Jesus healed the man by speaking a word, ephophtha, which means be open. Jesus Christ came to deliver us from sin and death. He came to open a way to paradise. In this miracle, He began what He would complete by His death and resurrection. Tonight, as you rest, Jesus wants to give you His healing presence. To open your heart and mind. Before we begin, let's take a moment to settle in. Breathe out all your breath slowly. Push it all out. Then feel your body taken a deep, sweet breath. Your body knows what to do. Exhale again. Let go of all of your worries. When you're ready, close your eyes. Curl up or stretch out. Notice anything going on in your body right now. Any place that might be holding tension or fear. Breathe that out. Any place feeling calm and well, take that in. Let that sink in. The Lord is with you. You're safe here. Take your struggles or your fears, problems or burdens, and let God have them tonight. He can watch over them. Right now, God wants you to rest in His love. Exhale again. Feel the bed supporting you and holding you up. Deep, tranquil, rest. Feel your breath becoming peaceful and even. Lord Jesus Christ, the fatha means be opened. Jesus has opened a way for us to have a relationship with God and with others. Jesus, as I lie here tonight, open my heart in my mind. Give me true freedom. But love in my heart and help me to know that you are my life and salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord, amen. Adam lay I bounden, bounden in a bond. 4,000 winter, thought he not too long. These words were written many years after Jesus lived, but he would have understood them. He knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. He came to deliver us. Jesus was in the region of the Decapolis. A crowd brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They begged Jesus to heal him. Everyone was talking at once and pressing in on all sides. Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus took the man. They walked a little way by themselves into the countryside. A head was a stream. They stopped near a hedge of thistles. Most of the plants were bushing with purple and lavender flowers. Some were beginning to go to seed and covered with downy white. There was a cochit bird, some call it a goldfinch. It had a bright eye and a cherry red face. It's pressed in back or a warm dove or fawn color. It's wings, white and yellow and black. The bird bent its tiny beak and pecked a thistle seed. A wind stirred, some of the seeds wafted it up like white stars and blew away. Jesus looked at the man. What was it like to be unable to hear or speak? When Jesus was a boy, Joseph was the one who had first taught him to read. Every week on the day before the Sabbath, Jesus helped Joseph clean the shop. The shop had a unique smell, a mixture of sawdust and oil and mint from a wild patch, which grew outside the door to the street. Jesus swept up while Joseph cleaned his tools and hung them on pegs. Then they had a little time for reading. In those days, that meant reading aloud. Joseph read the Torah to Jesus so that the boy would learn how to pronounce words and get a sense for the patterns of speech. Then Jesus read aloud while Joseph listened and patiently coached the boy. When Jesus was older, he had stood to read in the synagogue at Nazareth. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus looked through the text until he came near the end. People watched him curiously. They remembered him as a child. They had heard that Jesus was beginning to preach and make disciples. They had heard that he was working great miracles. Jesus began to read, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. He sat down. Then he said, "Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was thinking about all of this as he stood here by the Thessals, next to the man who could not hear or speak. Jesus knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. Only a little while ago his cousin John had been bound and imprisoned. Now John was gone to that place, wherever it was, where Adam lay bound. Later the followers of Christ would testify to their belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried, who descended into hell and on the third day rose from the dead. After he died, but before he rose, Jesus descended into hell. That place where Adam lay bound. He had made Adam and he was also a son of Adam. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Isaiah and Jeremiah. In his life, Jesus had lost Joseph. A little while ago, John had died. Where did they wait till the day Christ should free them from sin and death? The Psalm says, "In death there is no remembrance of you, in Shale, who will give you praise?" What was it like to be unable to hear God's voice or to speak His praise? The day was coming when Jesus would harrow hell, like a farmer harrows land, letting in light and air and life. The day was coming when Jesus would stand before the gates of hell and command them to open. He would liberate the prisoners. The ones he knew and loved because he was God. The ones he knew and loved because he was also a man and a son, a cousin and friend. He would free Joseph and John. He would free Adam and Eve to live again in relationship with God and others. The son of man came to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus looked at the man. The stream murmured. The wind blew. This old seed floated up and the flowers stirred. The coked bird fluttered up into the air, then settled back. The plant bobbed slowly, up and down under the weight of the bird. High overhead, white clouds drifted. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. And after spitting, touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to the man, "Ephatha." Which means, "Be opened." It was very quiet. The first thing that the man heard was the stream, the sound of water, rolling over and around cool stones. Then he heard the wind. A man saw a thistle down stirring, and he heard the sound of the wind stirring it. Then the coked bird lifted up its head and began to sing a melodious trail three times with a little sawing buzz at the end, a cheerful call with a wealth of different sounds. Far away, across the fields, another bird answered. The man whispered to Jesus, "Kairi," which means, "Lord." "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" asked Jesus. "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?" asked the man. "You have heard him," said Jesus. "It is he who is speaking to you." "Yes, Lord, I believe," said the man, and he began to worship, speaking words of thanksgiving and praise. Oh, God. The waters break forth in the wilderness, in streams, in the desert. And a highway shall be there and it shall be called the way of holiness. The redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I place my trust in you and rest now with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh, God. You sent your own, only Son, Jesus Christ, to open a way to paradise. You, yourself, are paradise. When we could neither hear nor see you, you opened the way. You became a man so we could hear your loving voice and learn to speak the words of love. You were my deliverer. Let me never stop trusting in you. And with these words ease into stillness and quiet and deep sleep. But, Joyce, always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, the fatha means be opened. Jesus has opened a way for us to have a relationship with God and with others. Oh Jesus, as I lie here tonight, open my heart and my mind. Give me true freedom, but love in my heart and help me to know that you are my life and salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Adam lay I bounden, bounden in a bond. Four thousand winter, thought he not too long. These words were written many years after Jesus lived, but he would have understood them. He knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. He came to deliver us. Well Jesus was in the region of the Decapolis. A crowd brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They begged Jesus to heal him. Everyone was talking at once and pressing in on all sides. Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus took the man. And they walked a little way by themselves into the countryside. A head was a stream. They stopped near a hedge of thistles. Most of the plants were bushy with purple and lavender flowers. Some were beginning to go to seed and covered with downy white. There was a cochit bird, some call it a goldfinch. It had a bright eye and a cherry red face. It's pressed in back or a warm dove or fawn color. It's wings, white and yellow and black. The bird bent its tiny beak and pecked a thistle seed. A wind stirred. Some of the seeds wafted up like white stars and blew away. Jesus looked at the man. What was it like to be unable to hear or speak? When Jesus was a boy, Joseph was the one who had first taught him to read. Every week on the day before the Sabbath, Jesus helped Joseph clean the shop. The shop had a unique smell, a mixture of sawdust and oil and mint from a wild patch, which grew outside the door to the street. Jesus swept up while Joseph cleaned his tools and hung them on pegs. Then they had a little time for reading. In those days, that meant reading aloud. Joseph read the Torah to Jesus so that the boy would learn how to pronounce words and get a sense for the patterns of speech. Jesus read aloud while Joseph listened and patiently coached the boy. When Jesus was older, he had stood to read in the synagogue at Nazareth. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus looked through the text until he came near the end. People watched him curiously. They remembered him as a child. They had heard that Jesus was beginning to preach and make disciples. They had heard that he was working great miracles. Jesus began to read, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. He sat down. Then he said, "Today, this scripture has been fulfilled, and you are hearing." Jesus was thinking about all of this as he stood here by the Thessals, next to the man who could not hear or speak. Jesus knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. Only a little while ago his cousin John had been bound and imprisoned. Now John was gone to that place, wherever it was, where Adam lay bound. Later the followers of Christ would testify to their belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried, who descended into hell, and on the third day rose from the dead. After he died, but before he rose, Jesus descended into hell. That place where Adam lay bound. He had made Adam, and he was also a son of Adam. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Isaiah and Jeremiah, in his life Jesus had lost Joseph. A little while ago John had died. Where did they wait till the day Christ should free them from sin and death? The Psalm says, "In death there is no remembrance of you, and Shail, who will give you praise?" What was it like to be unable to hear God's voice or to speak His praise? The day was coming when Jesus would harrow hell, like a farmer harrows land, letting in light and air and life. The day was coming when Jesus would stand before the gates of hell and command them to open. He would liberate the prisoners, the ones he knew and loved because he was God, the ones he knew and loved because he was also a man and a son, a cousin and friend. He would free Joseph and John, he would free Adam and Eve to live again in relationship with God and others. The son of man came to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus looked at the man, the stream murmured, the wind blew, this old seed floated up and the flowers stirred. The coked bird fluttered up into the air, then settled back. The plant bobbed slowly, up and down under the weight of the bird. High overhead, white clouds drifted. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. And after spitting, touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to the man, "Ephatha." Which means, "Be opened." It was very quiet. The first thing that the man heard was the stream, the sound of water rolling over and around cool stones. Then he heard the wind. The man saw a thistle down stirring, and he heard the sound of the wind stirring it. Then the coked bird lifted up its head and began to sing a melodious trail three times, with a little sawing buzz at the end, a cheerful call with a wealth of different sounds. Far away, across the fields, another bird answered. The man whispered to Jesus, "Kairi." Which means, "Lord." "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" asked Jesus. "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?" asked the man. "You have heard him," said Jesus. "It is he who is speaking to you." "Yes, Lord, I believe," said the man, and he began to worship, speaking words of thanksgiving and praise. Oh God! The waters break forth in the wilderness, in streams, in the desert. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness. The redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I place my trust in you, and rest now with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh God! You sent your own, only Son, Jesus Christ, to open a way to paradise. You, yourself, are paradise. And we could neither hear nor see you. You opened the way. You became a man so we could hear your loving voice and learn to speak the words of love. You were my deliverer. Let me never stop trusting in you. And with these words ease into stillness and quiet and deep sleep. But you always always pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. Amen. Jesus Christ, the fatha, means be opened. Jesus has opened a way for us to have a relationship with God and with others. Oh Jesus, as I lie here tonight, open my heart and my mind. Give me true freedom, but love in my heart and help me to know that you are my life and salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Adam lay I bounden, bounden in a bond. A thousand winter thought he not too long. These words were written many years after Jesus lived, but he would have understood them. He knew when it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. He came to deliver us. While Jesus was in the region of the Decapolis, a crowd brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They begged Jesus to heal him. Everyone was talking at once and pressing in on all sides. Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus took the man and they walked a little way by themselves into the countryside. A head was a stream. They stopped near a hedge of thistles. Most of the plants were bushy with purple and lavender flowers. Some were beginning to go to seed and covered with downy white. There was a cochit bird, some call it a goldfinch. It had a bright eye and a cherry red face. It's a breast and back or a warm dove or fawn color. It's wings, white and yellow and black. The bird bent its tiny beak and pecked a thistle seed. A wind stirred, some of the seeds wafted it up like white stars and blew away. Jesus looked at the man. What was it like to be unable to hear or speak? When Jesus was a boy, Joseph was the one who had first taught him to read. Every week on the day before the Sabbath, Jesus helped Joseph clean the shop. The shop had a unique smell, a mixture of sawdust and oil and mint from a wild patch which grew outside the door to the street. Jesus swept up while Joseph cleaned his tools and hung them on pegs. Then they had a little time for reading. In those days that meant reading aloud. Joseph read the Torah to Jesus so that the boy would learn how to pronounce words and get a sense for the patterns of speech. Then Jesus read aloud while Joseph listened and patiently coached the boy. When Jesus was older, he had stood to read in the synagogue at Nazareth. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus looked through the text until he came near the end. People watched him curiously. They remembered him as a child. They had heard that Jesus was beginning to preach and make disciples. They had heard that he was working great miracles. Jesus began to read, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. He sat down. Then he said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was thinking about all of this as he stood here by the thistles, next to the man who could not hear or speak. Jesus knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. Only a little while ago his cousin John had been bound and imprisoned. Now John was gone to that place, wherever it was, where Adam lay bound. Later the followers of Christ would testify to their belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried, who descended into hell and on the third day rose from the dead. After he died, but before he rose, Jesus descended into hell. That place where Adam lay bound. He had made Adam, and he was also a son of Adam. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Isaiah and Jeremiah, in his life Jesus had lost Joseph. A little while ago, John had died. Where did they wait till the day Christ should free them from sin and death? The Psalm says, "In death there is no remembrance of you, in shale, who will give you praise?" What was it like to be unable to hear God's voice or to speak His praise? The day was coming when Jesus would harrow hell like a farmer, harrows land, letting in light and air and life. The day was coming when Jesus would stand before the gates of hell and command them to open. He would liberate the prisoners, the ones he knew and loved because he was God. The ones he knew and loved because he was also a man and a son, a cousin and friend. He would free Joseph and John, he would free Adam and Eve to live again in relationship with God and others. The Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus looked at the man, the stream murmured, the wind blew, this old seed floated up and the flowers stirred. The coked bird fluttered up into the air, then settled back. The plant bobbed slowly, up and down under the weight of the bird. High overhead, white clouds drifted. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. And after spitting, touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to the man, "Ephatha," which means "be opened." It was very quiet. The first thing that the man heard was the stream, the sound of water rolling over and around cool stones. Then he heard the wind. A man saw a thistle down stirring, and he heard the sound of the wind stirring it. Then the coked bird lifted up its head and began to sing a melodious trail three times with a little sawing buzz at the end, a cheerful call with a wealth of different sounds. Far away, across the fields, another bird answered. The man whispered to Jesus, "Kairi," which means "Lord." "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" asked Jesus. "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?" asked the man. "You have heard him," said Jesus. "It is he who is speaking to you." "Yes, Lord, I believe," said the man, and he began to worship speaking words of thanksgiving and praise. Oh, God. The waters break forth in the wilderness, in streams, in the desert. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness. The redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I place my trust in you and rest now with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh, God. You sent your own, only Son, Jesus Christ, to open a way to paradise. You, yourself, are paradise. When we could neither hear nor see you, you opened the way. You became a man so we could hear your loving voice and learn to speak the words of love. You are my deliverer. Let me never stop trusting in you. And with these words ease into stillness and quiet and deep sleep. But you always always pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, the faftha means be opened. Jesus has opened a way for us to have a relationship with God and with others. Oh Jesus, as I lie here tonight, open my heart and my mind. And true freedom, but love in my heart and help me to know that you are my life and salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Adam lay I bounden, bounden in a bond. Four thousand winter, thought he not too long. These words were written many years after Jesus left, but he would have understood them. He knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. He came to deliver us. Well Jesus was in the region of the Decopolis. A crowd brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They begged Jesus to heal him. Everyone was talking at once and pressing in on all sides. Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus took the man. And they walked a little way by themselves into the countryside. Ahead was a stream. They stopped near a hedge of thistles. Most of the plants were bushy with purple and lavender flowers. Some were beginning to go to seed and covered with downy white. There was a coke at bird, some call it a goldfinch. It had a bright eye and a cherry red face. It's breast and back or a warm dove or fawn color. It's wings, white and yellow and black. The bird bent its tiny beak and pecked a thistle seed. A wind stirred. Some of the seeds wafted it up like white stars and blew away. Jesus looked at the man. What was it like to be unable to hear or speak? When Jesus was a boy, Joseph was the one who had first taught him to read. Every week on the day before the Sabbath, Jesus helped Joseph clean the shop. The shop had a unique smell, a mixture of sawdust and oil and mint from a wild patch, and grew outside the door to the street. Jesus swept up while Joseph cleaned his tools and hung them on pegs. Then they had a little time for reading. In those days that meant reading aloud. Joseph read the Torah to Jesus so that the boy would learn how to pronounce words and get his sense for the patterns of speech. Then Jesus read aloud while Joseph listened and patiently coached the boy. When Jesus was older, he had stood to read in the synagogue at Nazareth. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus looked through the text until he came near the end. People watched him curiously. They remembered him as a child. They had heard that Jesus was beginning to preach and make disciples. They had heard that he was working great miracles. Jesus began to read, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. He sat down. Then he said, "Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was thinking about all of this as he stood here by the Thessals, next to the man who could not hear or speak. Jesus knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. Only a little while ago his cousin John had been bound and imprisoned. Now John was gone to that place, wherever it was, where Adam lay bound. Later the followers of Christ would testify to their belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried, who descended into hell and on the third day rose from the dead. After he died, but before he rose, Jesus descended into hell. That place where Adam lay bound. He had made Adam, and he was also a son of Adam. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Isaiah and Jeremiah. In his life Jesus had lost Joseph. A little while ago John had died. Where did they wait till the day Christ should free them from sin and death? The Psalm says, "In death there is no remembrance of you, in shale." Who will give you praise? What was it like to be unable to hear God's voice or to speak His praise? Today was coming when Jesus would harrow hell like a farmer, harrows land, letting in light and error and life. The day was coming when Jesus would stand before the gates of hell and command them to open. He would liberate the prisoners. The ones he knew and loved because he was God. The ones he knew and loved because he was also a man and a son, a cousin and friend. He would free Joseph and John. He would free Adam and Eve to live again in relationship with God and others. The son of man came to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus looked at the man. The stream murmured. The wind blew. This old seed floated up and the flowers stirred. The cocuit bird fluttered up into the air, then settled back. The plant bobbed slowly, up and down under the weight of the bird. High overhead, white clouds drifted. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. And after spitting, touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to the man, "Ephatha," which means "be opened." It was very quiet. The first thing that the man heard was the stream, the sound of water rolling over and around cool stones. Then he heard the wind. The man saw a thistle down stirring, and he heard the sound of the wind stirring it. Then the cocuit bird lifted up its head and began to sing a melodious trail three times with a little sawing buzz at the end. A cheerful call with a wealth of different sounds. Far away, across the fields, another bird answered. The man whispered to Jesus, "Kairi," which means "Lord." "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" asked Jesus. "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?" asked the man. "You have heard him," said Jesus. "It is he who is speaking to you." "Yes, Lord, I believe," said the man, and he began to worship, speaking words of thanksgiving and praise. Oh, God, the waters break forth in the wilderness, in streams, in the desert, and a highway shall be there and it shall be called the way of holiness. The redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Replace my trust in you and rest now with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh, God, you sent your own, only Son, Jesus Christ, to open a way to paradise. You, yourself, are paradise. When we could neither hear nor see you, you opened the way. We became a man so we could hear your loving voice and learn to speak the words of love. You are my deliverer. Let me never stop trusting in you. And with these words ease into stillness and quiet and deep sleep. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, the fatha means be opened. Jesus has opened a way for us to have a relationship with God and with others. Jesus, as I lie here tonight, open my heart and my mind. Give me true freedom, but love in my heart and help me to know that you are my life and salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. These words were written many years after Jesus lived, but he would have understood them. He knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. They came to deliver us. Jesus was in the region of the Decapolis. A crowd brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They begged Jesus to heal him. Everyone was talking at once and pressing in on all sides. Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus took the man. They walked a little way by themselves into the countryside. Ahead was a stream. They stopped near a hedge of thistles. Most of the plants were bushy with purple and lavender flowers. Some were beginning to go to seed and covered with downy white. There was a cocuit bird, some call it a goldfinch. It had a bright eye and a cherry red face. It's a breast and back or a warm dove or fawn color. It's wings, white and yellow and black. The bird bent its tiny beak and pecked a thistle seed. A wind stirred. Some of the seeds wafted it up like white stars and blew away. Jesus looked at the man. What was it like to be unable to hear or speak? When Jesus was a boy, Joseph was the one who had first taught him to read. Every week on the day before the Sabbath, Jesus helped Joseph clean the shop. The shop had a unique smell, a mixture of sawdust and oil and mint from a wild patch which grew outside the door to the street. Jesus swept up while Joseph cleaned his tools and hung them on pegs. Then they had a little time for reading. In those days that meant reading aloud. Joseph read the Torah to Jesus so that the boy would learn how to pronounce words and get a sense for the patterns of speech. Then Jesus read aloud while Joseph listened and patiently coached the boy. When Jesus was older he had stood to read in the synagogue at Nazareth. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus looked through the text until he came near the end. People watched him curiously. They remembered him as a child. They had heard that Jesus was beginning to preach and make disciples. They had heard that he was working great miracles. Jesus began to read, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. He sat down, then he said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was thinking about all of this as he stood here by the Thessals, next to the man who could not hear or speak. Jesus knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. Only a little while ago his cousin John had been bound and imprisoned. Now John was gone to that place, wherever it was, where Adam lay bound. Later the followers of Christ would testify to their belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried, who descended into hell, and on the third day rose from the dead. After he died, but before he rose, Jesus descended into hell. The place where Adam lay bound. He had made Adam, and he was also a son of Adam. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Isaiah and Jeremiah. In his life, Jesus had lost Joseph. A little while ago, John had died. Where did they wait till the day Christ should free them from sin and death? The Psalm says, "In death there is no remembrance of you, in shale. Who will give you praise?" What was it like to be unable to hear God's voice or to speak His praise? The day was coming when Jesus would harrow hell like a farmer, harrows land, letting in light and air and life. The day was coming when Jesus would stand before the gates of hell and command them to open. He would liberate the prisoners. The ones he knew and loved because he was God. The ones he knew and loved because he was also a man and a son, a cousin and friend. He would free Joseph and John. He would free Adam and Eve to live again in relationship with God and others. The Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus looked at the man, the stream murmured, the wind blew. This old seed floated up and the flowers stirred. The cocuit bird fluttered up into the air, then settled back. The plant bobbed slowly, up and down under the weight of the bird. High overhead, white clouds drifted. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. And after spitting, touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven he sighed and said to the man, "Ephatha," which means "be opened." It was very quiet. The first thing that the man heard was the stream, the sound of water rolling over and around cool stones. Then he heard the wind. The man saw a thistle down stirring, and he heard the sound of the wind stirring it. Then the cocuit bird lifted up its head and began to sing a melodious trail three times with a little sawing buzz at the end, a cheerful call with a wealth of different sounds. Far away, across the fields another bird answered. The man whispered to Jesus, "Kairi," which means "Lord." "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" asked Jesus. "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?" asked the man. "You have heard him," said Jesus. "It is he who is speaking to you." "Yes, Lord, I believe," said the man, and he began to worship speaking words of thanksgiving and praise. Oh God! The waters break forth in the wilderness, in streams, in the desert. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness. The redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I place my trust in you, and rest now with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh God! You sent your own, only Son, Jesus Christ, to open a way to paradise. You, yourself, are paradise. And we could neither hear nor see you. You opened the way. You became a man so we could hear your loving voice and learn to speak the words of love. You are my deliverer. Let me never stop trusting in you. And with these words ease into stillness and quiet. Indeed, sleep. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, the fatha, means be opened. Jesus has opened a way for us to have a relationship with God and with others. Oh Jesus, as I lie here tonight, open my heart and my mind. Give me true freedom. But love in my heart and help me to know that you are my life and salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. These words were written many years after Jesus left, but He would have understood them. He knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. He came to deliver us. Well Jesus was in the region of the Decapolis. A crowd brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They begged Jesus to heal Him. Everyone was talking at once and pressing in on all sides. Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus took the man. And they walked a little way by themselves into the countryside. Ahead was a stream. They stopped near a hedge of thistles. Most of the plants were bushy with purple and lavender flowers. Some were beginning to go to seed and covered with downy white. There was a cochit bird, some call it a goldfinch. It had a bright eye and a cherry red face. It's breast and back or a warm dove or fawn color. It's wings, white and yellow and black. The bird bent its tiny beak and pecked a thistle seed. A wind stirred. Some of the seeds wafted it up like white stars and blew away. Jesus looked at the man. What was it like to be unable to hear or speak? When Jesus was a boy, Joseph was the one who had first taught him to read. Every week on the day before the Sabbath, Jesus helped Joseph clean the shop. The shop had a unique smell, a mixture of sawdust and oil and mint from a wild patch which grew outside the door to the street. Jesus swept up while Joseph cleaned his tools and hung them on pegs. Then they had a little time for reading. In those days that meant reading aloud. Joseph read the Torah to Jesus so that the boy would learn how to pronounce words and get a sense for the patterns of speech. Then Jesus read aloud while Joseph listened and patiently coached the boy. When Jesus was older, he had stood to read in the synagogue at Nazareth. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus looked through the text until he came near the end. People watched him curiously. They remembered him as a child. They had heard that Jesus was beginning to preach and make disciples. They had heard that he was working great miracles. Jesus began to read, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. He sat down, then he said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was thinking about all of this as he stood here by the thistles, next to the man who could not hear or speak. Jesus knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. Only a little while ago his cousin John had been bound and imprisoned. Now John was gone to that place, wherever it was, where Adam lay bound. Later the followers of Christ would testify to their belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried, who descended into hell and on the third day rose from the dead. After he died, but before he rose, Jesus descended into hell. That place where Adam lay bound. He had made Adam, and he was also a son of Adam. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Isaiah and Jeremiah, in his life Jesus had lost Joseph. A little while ago John had died. Where did they wait till the day Christ should free them from sin and death? The psalm says, "In death there is no remembrance of you, in shale. Who will give you praise?" What was it like to be unable to hear God's voice or to speak His praise? The day was coming when Jesus would harrow hell, like a farmer harrows land, letting in light and air and life. The day was coming when Jesus would stand before the gates of hell and command them to open. He would liberate the prisoners. The ones he knew and loved because he was God. The ones he knew and loved because he was also a man and a son, a cousin and friend. He would free Joseph and John. He would free Adam and Eve to live again in relationship with God and others. The son of man came to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus looked at the man. The stream murmured. The wind blew. This old seed floated up and the flowers stirred. The coked bird fluttered up into the air, then settled back. The plant bobbed slowly, up and down under the weight of the bird. High overhead, white clouds drifted. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. And after spitting, touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven he sighed and said to the man, "Ephatha." Which means, "Be opened." It was very quiet. The first thing that the man heard was the stream, the sound of water rolling over and around cool stones. Then he heard the wind. The man saw a thistle down stirring and he heard the sound of the wind stirring it. Then the coked bird lifted up its head and began to sing a melodious trail three times with a little sawing buzz at the end, a cheerful call with a wealth of different sounds. Far away, across the fields, another bird answered. The man whispered to Jesus, "Kairi," which means, "Lord." "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" asked Jesus. "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?" asked the man. "You have heard him," said Jesus. "It is he who is speaking to you." "Yes, Lord, I believe," said the man, and he began to worship, speaking words of thanksgiving and praise. Oh God, the waters break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. In a highway shall be there and it shall be called the way of holiness. The redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I place my trust in you and rest now with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh God, you sent your own, only Son, Jesus Christ, to open a way to paradise. You, yourself, are paradise. When we could neither hear nor see you, you opened the way. You became a man so we could hear your loving voice and learn to speak the words of love. You were my deliverer. Let me never stop trusting in you. And with these words ease into stillness and quiet and deep sleep. But you always always pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, the fatha means be opened. Jesus has opened a way for us to have a relationship with God and with others. Oh Jesus, as I lie here tonight, open my heart and my mind. Give me true freedom. But love in my heart and help me to know that you are my life and salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Adam lay I bounden, bounden in a bond. Four thousand winter, thought he not too long. These words were written many years after Jesus lived, but he would have understood them. He knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. He came to deliver us. Well Jesus was in the region of the Decapolis. A crowd brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They begged Jesus to heal him. Everyone was talking at once and pressing in on all sides. Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus took the man. And they walked a little way by themselves into the countryside. A head was a stream. They stopped near a hedge of thistles. Most of the plants were bushy with purple and lavender flowers. Some were beginning to go to seed and covered with downy white. There was a cochit bird, some call it a goldfinch. It had a bright eye and a cherry red face. It's a breast and back or a warm dove or fawn color. It's wings, white and yellow and black. The bird bent its tiny beak and pecked a thistle seed. A wind stirred. Some of the seeds wafted it up like white stars and blew away. Jesus looked at the man. What was it like to be unable to hear or speak? When Jesus was a boy, Joseph was the one who had first taught him to read. Every week on the day before the Sabbath, Jesus helped Joseph clean the shop. The shop had a unique smell, a mixture of sawdust and oil and mint from a wild patch, which grew outside the door to the street. Jesus swept up while Joseph cleaned his tools and hung them on pegs. Then they had a little time for reading. In those days, that meant reading aloud. Joseph read the Torah to Jesus so that the boy would learn how to pronounce words and get a sense for the patterns of speech. Then Jesus read aloud while Joseph listened and patiently coached the boy. When Jesus was older, he had stood to read in the synagogue at Nazareth. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus looked through the text until he came near the end. People watched him curiously. They remembered him as a child. They had heard that Jesus was beginning to preach and make disciples. They had heard that he was working great miracles. Jesus began to read, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. He sat down. Then he said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was thinking about all of this as he stood here by the thistles, next to the man who could not hear or speak. Jesus knew what it meant to lie bound and imprisoned. Only a little while ago his cousin John had been bound and imprisoned. Now John was gone to that place, wherever it was. Where Adam lay bound. Later the followers of Christ would testify to their belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died and was buried, who descended into hell and on the third day rose from the dead. After he died, but before he rose, Jesus descended into hell. That place where Adam lay bound. He had made Adam, and he was also a son of Adam. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Isaiah and Jeremiah, in his life Jesus had lost Joseph. A little while ago John had died. Where did they wait till the day Christ should free them from sin and death? The Psalm says, "In death there is no remembrance of you, in shale. Who will give you praise?" What was it like to be unable to hear God's voice or to speak His praise? Today was coming when Jesus would harrow hell, like a farmer, harrows land, letting in light and air and life. The day was coming when Jesus would stand before the gates of hell and command them to open. He would liberate the prisoners, the ones he knew and loved because he was God, the ones he knew and loved because he was also a man and a son, a cousin and friend. He would free Joseph and John. He would free Adam and Eve to live again in relationship with God and others. The Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus looked at the man, the stream murmured, the wind blew, this old seed floated up and the flowers stirred. The coked bird fluttered up into the air, then settled back. The plant bobbed slowly, up and down under the weight of the bird. High overhead, white clouds drifted. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears, and after spitting, touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to the man, "Ephatha," which means, "Be opened." It was very quiet. The first thing that the man heard was the stream, the sound of water rolling over and around cool stones. Then he heard the wind. The man saw a thistle down stirring, and he heard the sound of the wind stirring it. Then the coked bird lifted up its head and began to sing a melodious trail three times with a little sawing buzz at the end. A cheerful call with a wealth of different sounds. Far away across the fields, another bird answered. The man whispered to Jesus, "Kairi," which means, "Lord." "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" asked Jesus. "Who is he, Lord?" "That I may believe in him," asked the man. "You have heard him," said Jesus. "It is he who is speaking to you." "Yes, Lord, I believe," said the man, and he began to worship speaking words of thanksgiving and praise. Oh God, the waters break forth in the wilderness in streams in the desert, and a highway shall be there and it shall be called the way of holiness. The redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness, and joy, and sorrow, and sighing shall flee away. I place my trust in you and rest now with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh God, you sent your own only Son, Jesus Christ, to open a way to paradise. You yourself are paradise. When we could neither hear nor see you, you opened the way. You became a man so we could hear your loving voice and learn to speak the words of love. You are my deliverer. Let me never stop trusting in you. And with these words, ease into stillness and quiet, indeed, sleep. But you always, always, pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances.
