Reading I
1 Kgs 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.
Gospel
Mk 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.”
Meditation: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19
Rebellion is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. We encounter it in the very first book, Genesis, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. In today’s Old Testament reading, we see it again.
King Solomon has rebelled against Yahweh by worshipping false gods. The prophet Ahijah says that Solomon has not followed God’s ways as his father David did. And so, out of respect for David, God will allow Solomon to keep his kingdom until he dies. The judgment will come later, when Solomon’s son will rule over only one tribe while Jeroboam will rule the others. (1 Kings 12:26–13:24).
Perhaps it is part of our wounded nature that we are prone to rebel, even against God. Yet like the father in Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, even when we do turn away, God is waiting for us with open arms to turn back to him. This is exactly why he sent Jesus into the world, in fact—so that we could be reconciled to him.
Today, think back to the times you have rebelled against God in your life. What happened, and how did you make your way back to him? How did you experience his mercy and forgiveness? Spend some time giving thanks and praise to God for his steadfast love, which never ends, no matter what we do.
Now examine your life today. Are there subtle ways you may still be in rebellion? Maybe God is calling you to forgive a friend or relative, and you are resisting. Maybe you find yourself in a difficult situation that requires perseverance and hard work—something you know God wants you to do—and you are choosing the easy way out or even quitting. Maybe you still cling to a sin pattern you know you should turn away from.
If you do detect signs of reluctance, disobedience, or even out-and-out rebellion, take the time in prayer to ask the Lord for his forgiveness and his help. Know that he will give it to you if you but ask for it. Remember: You may turn from God, but he will never turn from you.
“Father, I repent of any ways I have turned away from you and gone my own way. I want my will to be your will. Give me a heart that yields always to you.”
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