My mother had a certain habit, and for some reason when my sister and I became teenagers we found it incredibly irritating. I really don’t know why. And to my dismay, when I became a mother, I found myself doing the same thing quite frequently. What is it this irritating habit? It is the frequent act of letting out a long sigh. We all do it. I am especially inclined to sigh when I am overwhelmed or tired—feelings that most women experience most everyday..
A few months ago, I was reading a passage in Mark (7:31-35) that I have read numerous times: A deaf and mute man is brought to Jesus for healing. Scripture tells us that Jesus puts his fingers into the man’s ears, spits and touches the man’s tongue, then he looks up to heaven and with a deep sigh he says Ephphatha, which means “Be opened.” Immediately the man is healed—able to hear and to speak.
Jesus sighed. Why did Jesus sigh? Was he overwhelmed, tired, exasperated with the people? Maybe. But I would like to offer my own thoughts on the subject.
The breath of God is an image that runs throughout the Bible. In Genesis we are told that God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into him. Job 33:4 says, “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” And when Jesus wanted to leave a lasting gift to his disciples – and to us, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
I like to think that when Jesus sighed, he was breathing forth life-giving, divine breath—the mighty wind—the creative, orderly, powerful breath that formed our world, the stars and planets, the atoms and molecules—the same breath that gives life to man – the same breath that gives life to you and me.
Recently I read that scientists have discovered the reason we sigh: The act of sighing resets our breathing patterns that have shifted out of balance. Perhaps when we sigh, we are subconsciously expressing that we are out of balance and need the power of the Almighty—the Breath of God.
In this life we will become overwhelmed and tired and exasperated. But maybe when we sigh, we can be in touch with the breath of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, so that each sigh can breathe forth a prayer. A sigh might be a prayer of, “Help, Lord “
Or “Fill me up with your divine breath so I can do this,”
Or “Breathe your patience into me,”
Or “Thank you for reminding me that you are here and flowing through me, just as sure as the oxygen in my lungs.”
Dear Children of God, you are more than flesh and cells and bones. In your baptism you were marked as Christ’s own forever – and His Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, flows through you. Breathe deeply, and be aware of His life in you.
The Spirit of God has made you; the Breath of the Almighty gives you life.
holymeetsordinary 