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LIVE IT WEEKLY Sunday, September 8, 2025 |
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5 KEYS TO LIVING EPHPHATHA
This Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 7:31–37) gives us Jesus’ unforgettable word: “Ephphatha!”—Be opened! In healing a deaf and mute man, Jesus shows us what He desires for each of us: ears opened to hear God’s voice and tongues freed to proclaim His love. Too often, though, we live distracted, muted by shame, or stuck in routine. Here are five keys to living Ephphatha—resuscitating our souls and filling our homes with the Holy Spirit.
1. Open Ears: Hearing God’s Voice Daily
Malphas Memo: “Keep them distracted—never truly listening.”
Key Insight: Listening requires silence and attentiveness.
Psychology/Sociology: Excessive screen time (7+ hours/day on average) diminishes deep listening.
Catholic Insight: St. Benedict urged: “Listen with the ear of your heart.”
Live IT Practice: Begin each morning with 10 minutes of silence and Scripture.
2. Loosened Tongue: Speaking Life, Not Fear
Malphas Memo: “Convince them their words don’t matter.”
Key Insight: Our voices are meant to bless, not curse.
Psychology/Sociology: Families who pray aloud together are 40% more likely to raise faith-filled children.
Catholic Insight: St. Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
Live IT Practice: Pray aloud over your spouse or children this week.
3. Healing Shame: Restoring Our Voice
Malphas Memo: “Tell them their past defines them.”
Key Insight: Shame strangles proclamation—mercy unblocks the voice.
Psychology/Sociology: Shame correlates with secrecy and silence; vulnerability fosters healing.
Catholic Insight: St. Augustine: “The confession of evil works is the beginning of good works.”
Live IT Practice: Go to confession this week.
4. Courage to Proclaim Publicly
Malphas Memo: “Keep faith private. Never let them speak His name outside church.”
Key Insight: Real encounter leads to irrepressible witness.
Psychology/Sociology: Only 27% of Catholics share their faith weekly, but those who do report greater joy and belonging.
Catholic Insight: St. Paul: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!”
Live IT Practice: Speak the name of Jesus naturally in a conversation this week.
5. Living Ephphatha as a Family
Malphas Memo: “Keep faith compartmentalized.”
Key Insight: Homes are meant to be places where ears are opened and mouths proclaim.
Psychology/Sociology: Families who pray together weekly are 2x more likely to report happiness and resilience.
Catholic Insight: St. John Paul II: “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world.”
Live IT Practice: Pray together: “Jesus, open our ears to Your Word and open our mouths to proclaim Your love.”
Jesus’ cry—“Be opened!”—isn’t just a story from long ago. It’s spoken over us today. Join us on this week’s IGNITE Radio Live as we unpack the 5 Keys to Living Ephphatha and let Christ open our ears, loosen our tongues, and flood our homes with His life.
Be refreshed. Be challenged. Be transformed. |
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Greg & Stephanie Schlueter,
Image Trinity | Mass Impact
Greg@MassImpact.us | (814) 449-8808
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