Daily Readings - Fri Feb 09 2024
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
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.