Following the example of Jesus, who “has done all things well”, we too are driven to faithfully fulfill our commitments, as the people of God who journey together towards the definitive Kingdom.

This liturgy encourages us to make every effort to, through attentive listening to one another, create and sustain unity in the family, in the Church and in society. First Reading: 1 Kings 11,29-32; 12.19 Following the example of Jesus, who “has done all things well”, we too are driven to faithfully fulfill our commitments, as the people of God who journey together towards the definitive Kingdom. Reading from the first book of Kings – 29It happened at that time that, when Jeroboam had left Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah, from Shiloh, came to meet him, covered with a new cloak. The two were alone in the field. 30 Ahijah took the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces 31 and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Behold, I will snatch the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes. 32But he will remain with one tribe, out of consideration for my servant David and for Jerusalem, the city I chose out of all the tribes of Israel.” 12,19 Israel has rebelled against the house of David to this day. - Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 80(81) Hear, my people, for I am your God! 1. There is no strange god in your midst, / nor do you worship an unknown god! / For I am your God and your Lord, / who plucked you out of the land of Egypt. – R. 2. But my people did not listen to my voice, / Israel did not care to obey me. / I then let them follow their whims, / I abandoned them to their hard heart. – R. 3. I wish my people listened to me! / May Israel always walk in my paths! / His enemies, without delay, I would humiliate / and turn my hand against the oppressor. – R. Gospel: Mark 7,31-37 Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. Open our hearts, O Lord, / to hear the word of Jesus! (Acts 16,14) – R. Proclamation of the holy Gospel according to Mark – At that time, 31Jesus left the region of Tire again, passed through Sidonia and continued to the Sea of Galilee, crossing the region of the Decapolis. 32They then brought a deaf man, who spoke with difficulty, and asked Jesus to lay his hand on him. 33Jesus walked away with the man out of the crowd; then he put his fingers in his ears, spat and, with the saliva, touched his tongue. 34Looking up at the sky, he sighed and said, “Ephaphatah!” Which means, “Open up!” 35Immediately his ears opened, his tongue loosened, and he began to speak without difficulty. 36Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone. But the more he recommended, the more they spread the word. 37Greatly impressed, they said, “He has done all things well: He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” – Word of salvation. Reflection: In the language of the prophets, deafness and blindness symbolize misunderstanding and resistance to God's message. In this episode, deafness could mean the obstacle that prevents the disciples from understanding Jesus' teachings. Speaking with difficulty (stuttering) is an impediment or limitation to proclaiming the Word of God. Jesus' disciples, in fact, continue to maintain the mentality that the Jews were superior to other peoples. They do not accept that everyone is equal in the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, the scene is loaded with baptismal symbolism. In effect, the baptized person becomes a new creature: Jesus opens her ears and loosens her tongue, so that she can listen, practice and make others know the Word of God. What importance do we attach to knowing and reading the Holy Bible?

​Following the example of Jesus, who “has done all things well”, we too are driven to faithfully fulfill our commitments, as the people of God who journey together towards the definitive Kingdom.

This liturgy encourages us to make every effort to, through attentive listening to one another, create and sustain unity in the family, in the Church and in society. First Reading: 1 Kings 11,29-32; 12.19 Following the example of Jesus, who “has done all things well”, we too are driven to faithfully fulfill our commitments, as the people of God who journey together towards the definitive Kingdom. Reading from the first book of Kings – 29It happened at that time that, when Jeroboam had left Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah, from Shiloh, came to meet him, covered with a new cloak. The two were alone in the field. 30 Ahijah took the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces 31 and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Behold, I will snatch the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes. 32But he will remain with one tribe, out of consideration for my servant David and for Jerusalem, the city I chose out of all the tribes of Israel.” 12,19 Israel has rebelled against the house of David to this day. - Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 80(81) Hear, my people, for I am your God! 1. There is no strange god in your midst, / nor do you worship an unknown god! / For I am your God and your Lord, / who plucked you out of the land of Egypt. – R. 2. But my people did not listen to my voice, / Israel did not care to obey me. / I then let them follow their whims, / I abandoned them to their hard heart. – R. 3. I wish my people listened to me! / May Israel always walk in my paths! / His enemies, without delay, I would humiliate / and turn my hand against the oppressor. – R. Gospel: Mark 7,31-37 Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. Open our hearts, O Lord, / to hear the word of Jesus! (Acts 16,14) – R. Proclamation of the holy Gospel according to Mark – At that time, 31Jesus left the region of Tire again, passed through Sidonia and continued to the Sea of Galilee, crossing the region of the Decapolis. 32They then brought a deaf man, who spoke with difficulty, and asked Jesus to lay his hand on him. 33Jesus walked away with the man out of the crowd; then he put his fingers in his ears, spat and, with the saliva, touched his tongue. 34Looking up at the sky, he sighed and said, “Ephaphatah!” Which means, “Open up!” 35Immediately his ears opened, his tongue loosened, and he began to speak without difficulty. 36Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone. But the more he recommended, the more they spread the word. 37Greatly impressed, they said, “He has done all things well: He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” – Word of salvation. Reflection: In the language of the prophets, deafness and blindness symbolize misunderstanding and resistance to God's message. In this episode, deafness could mean the obstacle that prevents the disciples from understanding Jesus' teachings. Speaking with difficulty (stuttering) is an impediment or limitation to proclaiming the Word of God. Jesus' disciples, in fact, continue to maintain the mentality that the Jews were superior to other peoples. They do not accept that everyone is equal in the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, the scene is loaded with baptismal symbolism. In effect, the baptized person becomes a new creature: Jesus opens her ears and loosens her tongue, so that she can listen, practice and make others know the Word of God. What importance do we attach to knowing and reading the Holy Bible?

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