Daily Readings - Fri Feb 09 2024
1 Kings
29And it happened, in that time, that Jeroboam departed from Jerusalem. And the prophet Ahijah, the Shilonite, wearing a new cloak, found him on the way. And the two were alone in the field30And taking his new cloak, with which he was covered, Ahijah tore it into twelve parts31And he said to Jeroboam: "Take ten pieces for yourself. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and I will give to you ten tribes32Yet one tribe shall remain with him, for the sake of my servant, David, as well as Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel
19And Israel drew away from the house of David, even to the present day
Mark
31And again, departing from the borders of Tyre, he went by way of Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the area of the Ten Cities32And they brought someone who was deaf and mute to him. And they begged him, so that he would lay his hand upon him33And taking him away from the crowd, he put his fingers into his ears; and spitting, he touched his tongue34And gazing up to heaven, he groaned and said to him: "Ephphatha," which is, "Be opened.35And immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke correctly36And he instructed them not to tell anyone. But as much as he instructed them, so much more did they preach about it37And so much more did they wonder, saying: "He has done all things well. He has caused both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on themes of division and healing. The First Reading from 1 Kings recounts the prophet Ahijah's encounter with Jeroboam, where the kingdom is divided—ten tribes to Jeroboam and one remaining with Solomon. This division, a consequence of turning away from God, underscores the fracturing of unity and the complexities of human disobedience. The historical context reveals the political and spiritual turmoil following Solomon's reign, setting the stage for a fractured kingdom.
The Gospel, from Mark, shifts our focus to an act of profound healing. Jesus encounters a deaf and mute man, and through intimate, physical gestures, restores his hearing and speech. This miracle is not just a physical healing but a spiritual one, symbolizing the restoration of communication between God and humanity. The crowd's amazement and disobedience in spreading the news highlight the transformative power of faith and the irresistible nature of God's grace.
These readings contrast division with healing, reminding us that amidst life's fractures, God offers restoration. In a world often marked by division, we are called to seek healing and unity. Just as Jesus reached out to the man, we too can experience God's touch, mending our brokenness. The moral lesson here is one of hope and unity—through faith, we can overcome division and find wholeness in God. Let us strive to be instruments of healing, bringing unity and God's grace to a world in need.