*Ephphatha! Be Opened!*

“And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha! (which means, “Be opened!”) Mark, 7:34

When the world clogs your heart
With lies, half-truths, 
Flood of lust and drama,
Real tears and pain
Hidden in plain sight,
Your eyes unable to see the truth,
You lock yourself
In your cage of pride,
Shackled by your mind,
Your soul is deaf and mute
Immune to love,
Stung and stunned 
By the serpent,
Blind to Life…
Until you feel His Light
As it touches your face,
With a gentle grace,
Fragile sun rays
Caressing your heart,
Letting a captive dove
Out of your chest,
Setting you free
At last,
As your hear - 
Ephphatha! 
Be opened! 
Hear His Word,
Entering your ears,
Each sound
Wrapped 
In infinite meaning,
Flowing,

Healing,
Filling
The roots
Of your soul,
Streams of the Living Water,
Falling like a waterfall,
Cascading down,
Crashing on slippery stones,
Washing away your sins,
The plume of grace
Rises in a mist
All over your being, 
As you gasp in awe
At torrents of blessings,
Pouring over your soul,
Swirling in astounding sounds,
Praising the Lord,
Hearing His music
Inside of you,
Leaping
In rapids of prayer,
Waves of joy
Splashing and gleaming
In flight of dewdrops,
Refreshing, unlocking,
Your hope…
Lo and Behold –
The Tree of Life has blossomed,
Leaves fluttering in celestial winds,
As angels sing the sweet eternal songs
Adam and Eve once heard
In Eden when they spoke to God…
Ephphatha – O, you can hear now!
Ephphatha – Yes, you can hear now!
Ephphatha – O, you can hear the Lord!

By Andrey Gidaspov

Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Washington, DC
March 2, 2019
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