Daily Readings for February 9, 2018

1ST READING

Jeroboam revolts against Israel and sets up an alternative kingdom in the North. This leaves Rehoboam with the “rump” of the Jewish state in the south, a bigger land area but a less populated and not an affluent part of the original kingdom. Rivalry and competition can be healthy when not taken too seriously. These can also be destructive as we learn from today’s reading. A divided kingdom is an easy target for any enemy to overcome in battle. As the lyrics of “The Liberty Song” go, “By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!”

1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19

29 Jeroboam left Jerusalem, and the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the road. The two were alone in the area, and the prophet was wearing a new cloak. 30 Ahijah took off his new cloak, tore it into twelve pieces, 31 and said to Jeroboam: “Take ten pieces for yourself; the Lord, the God of Israel, says ‘I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s grasp and will give you ten of the tribes. 32 One tribe shall remain to him for the sake of David my servant, and of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.’” 12:18 [19] Israel went into rebellion against David’s house to this day.

P S A L M

Psalm 81:10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R: I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.

9 [10] “There shall be no strange god among you nor shall you worship any alien god. 10 [11] I, the Lord, am your God who led you forth from the land of Egypt.” (R) 11 [12] “My people heard not my voice, and Israel obeyed me not; 12 [13] so I gave them up to thehardness of their hearts; they walked according to their own counsels.” (R) 13 [14] “If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, 14 [15] quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn my hand.” (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus heals a deaf-mute and restores his hearing and speech. Let this miracle remind us to get rid of everything that hinders our ability to hear what God is saying to us. Let us listen attentively to Him and respond to His call.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

Mark 7:31-37

31 Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. 32 And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; 34 then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is “Be opened!”) 35 And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 36 He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. 37 They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”