Daily Readings - Fri Feb 09 2018
1 Kings
29About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country,30and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces.31Then he said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand and give you ten tribes.32But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe.
19So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
Mark
31Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.32There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.33After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue.34He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!" ).35At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.36Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.37People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "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.