Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 35:4-7A, James 2:1-5, and Mark 7:31-31. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 146 (Psalm 146:6-10). 

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146 - Praise The Lord, My Soul! - Francesca LaRosa

The Gospel reading is as follows: 

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, "Ephphatha!"- that is, "Be opened!" - And immediately 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. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, "He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 5, 2021

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 5, 2021)

Crossroads Initiative: Jesus's Miracles - the Deaf Mute & Compassion

St. Paul Center: All Things Well: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: This Sunday, Who Do We Keep From Jesus' Healing Touch? (2 SEP 21)

Word on Fire: Have You Stopped Listening to Jesus? (Cycle B * Ordinary Time * Week 23)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: The Lord Restores Our Hearing and Hope (2 SEP 21)

Spirituality of the Readings: He Began to Teach Them (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)

In Exile: Repent (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)

Glancing Thoughts: Being Able to Hear (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)

The Perspective of Justice: At the Same Table (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)

Let the Scriptures Speak: The Mute Will Sing (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)

The Word Embodied: "Faith, Yes, But ... " (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)

Historical Cultural Context: Deaf and Mute (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B) 

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Lawrence of Brindisi (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year B)