First Reading
1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19
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.
Ahijah took off his new cloak,
tore it into twelve pieces, 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.
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.’”
Israel went into rebellion against David’s house to this day.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 81:10-11ab, 12-13, 14-15
R. (11a and 9a) I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
“There shall be no strange god among you
nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt.”
R. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
“My people heard not my voice,
and Israel obeyed me not;
So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts;
they walked according to their own counsels.”
R. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
“If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
Quickly would I humble their enemies;
against their foes I would turn my hand.”
R. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
Gospel
Mark 7:31-37
Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”)
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to,
the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
“He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
TITLE: ONE TO ONE
"Jesus took him off by himself away from the crowd." –Mark 7:33
Jesus sometimes healed people impersonally. For instance, sometimes He may have healed hundreds at one time. When Jesus healed a woman who was hemorrhaging for twelve years, He didn't even know she was healed until after the fact (Mk 5:30). However, Jesus' healing of the deaf man with a speech impediment was one of His most personal healings. Jesus took this man "off by himself away from the crowd" (Mk 7:33). He gave him One-on-one attention. Jesus "put His fingers into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue" (Mk 7:33).
Do you need Jesus' very personal touch for healing? If so, step out of the crowded conditions of your life. Lock yourself in a prayer closet with Jesus (see Mt 6:6). Have a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus. Meet Jesus in solitude and silence. Intimately receive the body and blood of Jesus into your body at Mass (see Jn 6:56).
People may laugh at you and call you stupid or ugly, but Jesus treasures you. You are beautiful in Him and to Him. Come away to be alone with Jesus. He loves you so much He died for you. Be alone with Jesus; be alone with Love Himself (see 1 Jn 4:16).
PRAYER: Father, open me and free me so that I will speak freely and plainly of Your love (see Mk 7:34-35).
PROMISE: "If only My people would hear Me, and Israel walk in My ways, quickly would I humble their enemies."–Ps 81:14-15
PRAISE: St. Methodius endured great opposition during his mission to Moravia. He was imprisoned for several years but nonetheless translated the entire Bible into Slavonic before he died.
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