We are reminded in this week's scriptures that God’s will for us is always wholeness and happiness. When we act toward others with the love and compassion of Jesus, we begin to experience even now the happiness God has promised.  Unless we know someone who has a hearing impairment we often take the gift of hearing for granted. Have you ever stopped to imagine how different our lives would be if we could not hear? We would not hear music, the voice of a loved one, children playing, the wind in the trees …. imagine not being able to enjoy these things. In the gospel this week Jesus healed the deaf man - this is a sign of God’s great promise for us. How would the deaf man have felt when Jesus healed him? Suddenly his silence was broken by the sounds of the world around him, sounds which he had never heard before! Take some time to appreciate all of the wonderful things that we can do, the gifts that we have. Make it a habit to thank God for all the good things your family experiences each day.