In the first of a four-part series on the vocation of Fr. Fausto Gomez, OP, the Dominican priest reflects on his journey from a small town in Avila in Spain to his 86th birthday, celebrated on December 4, 2023. With gratitude, Fr. Fausto thanks God not only for the gift of life but also for his Dominican vocation, which has sustained him for 61 years since his ordination.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) tells of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man, symbolizing the call to open our hearts and minds to God’s word. The Aramaic word “Ephatha,” meaning “be opened,” invites us to seek personal encounters with Christ that go beyond the crowd, freeing us from spiritual deafness. True faith grows through these intimate moments with the Lord, where He opens us to His message of love and salvation.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) shows that Jesus’ miracles go beyond physical healing; they restore dignity and save the whole person, body and soul. By healing the deaf-mute, Jesus first restores his worth and dignity as a beloved child of God. This reminds us that God’s grace often works to strengthen our faith before meeting our physical needs.
Pope Leo I, also known as Leo the Great, navigated the Church through a tumultuous era marked by the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire and profound theological controversies. Known for his theological brilliance and pastoral care, he defended the Church against heresies such as Pelagianism, Manichaeism, and Monophysitism. His actions, including meeting Attila the Hun to prevent the sacking of Rome, highlight his role as both a spiritual leader and a peacemaker.
“Fidelity is not the virtue of our time.” These words by Pope Paul VI resonate powerfully today as we navigate a world where commitments often waver. His unwavering stance on priestly celibacy, despite immense pressure, reflects a deep commitment to the integrity and continuity of the Church’s teachings.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, questioning the value of traditions that do not align with inner purity. Traditions should not be fossilized rituals that have lost relevance but dynamic expressions of living the Gospel in our time. Jesus challenges us to keep traditions that promote true holiness and justice, not those that serve as mere external displays without inner sincerity.
Grace is the divine seed planted in our souls, a gratuitous gift from God that calls us to grow in faith, hope, and love. Through the sacraments, the practice of virtues, and prayer, we nurture this grace, allowing it to flourish and bring us closer to God. As St. Teresa of Avila reminds us, it’s not the grandeur of our works but the love with which we perform them that matters.
Cardinal Bergoglio’s letter urges us to pray with boldness and persistence, echoing biblical figures like Moses, David, and the Canaanite woman who fought with God in prayer. Prayer is not just a ritual; it’s a bold, daring dialogue with God, pressing Him to act in our lives and in the world.
Today’s Gospel challenges us to examine what we might be bartering against eternal life. Like the rich young man, we are often reluctant to give up earthly attachments in exchange for a life transformed by Christ. True commitment to Jesus requires not just following Him physically but embracing a lifelong conversion of heart and soul.
In moments when God’s will feels overwhelming, we must remember the unwavering fidelity of Saint Peter: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Even when God’s demands seem difficult, our faith calls us to embrace His will completely, trusting that His guidance leads us to eternal life.
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