Daily Readings - Fri Feb 09 2018
1 Kings
29And at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Now Ahijah had dressed himself in a new garment, and the two of them were alone in the open country.30Then Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.31And he said to Jeroboam, "Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes32(but he shall have one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),
19So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
Mark
31Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.32And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.33And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.34And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."35And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.36And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Sermon
The first reading from 1 Kings recounts the prophet Ahijah’s encounter with Jeroboam, where he foretells the division of the kingdom of Israel. This moment marks a turning point in Israel’s history, as God’s judgment on Solomon’s sin leads to the fracturing of the kingdom. The tearing of Ahijah’s cloak into twelve pieces symbolizes the tearing of the kingdom itself, with ten tribes given to Jeroboam and two remaining under Solomon’s descendants. This reading reminds us that sin has consequences, but even in judgment, God remains faithful to his promises, preserving a remnant for the sake of David and Jerusalem.
In the Gospel, Mark describes a miracle where Jesus heals a deaf and mute man. This account is rich in symbolism: Jesus’ physical touch and prayer open the man’s ears and release his tongue, signifying not only physical healing but also spiritual awakening. The man’s newfound ability to speak reflects the transformative power of encountering Christ. Despite Jesus’ instruction to keep the miracle quiet, the news spreads, highlighting the irresistible nature of God’s work in the world. This passage invites us to reflect on how we, like the crowd, might respond to God’s wonders in our lives.
Both readings, though seemingly distant in context, share a common thread: the transformative power of God’s action in human history. In the first reading, God’s judgment leads to division, yet his faithfulness endures. In the Gospel, God’s mercy brings healing and restoration. For us today, these readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or difficult. They remind us that sin can separate us from God, but his grace can heal and restore us. Let us ask for the faith to hear God’s voice and to speak of his wonders with joy and gratitude.