1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19 / Mark 7:31-37
A breakup or a separation is usually an emotionally draining affair. Probably scorching words were used with the parties involved being angry and hurt.
And after it is over, no one would want to talk about it or hear about it anymore. As much as there are resentment and bitterness, there is no point in opening up those wounds anymore.
In the 1st reading, we hear of how Israel was separated from the House of David. The prophet Ahijah simply tore his new cloak into twelve strips and gave ten strips to Jeroboam, and that was the sign of the separation.
Not much was said, but there was also not much worth hearing. The people brought this on themselves and there is nothing they could say to bring the nation back together again.
In the gospel, we heard of Jesus healing a deaf man who also had an impediment in his speech.
But the man is also a symbol of the people of God, a people who are deaf to the voice of the Lord and whose mouths do not give the Lord glory and praise.
In healing the man's deafness and his speech impediment, Jesus showed that He came so as to open the ears of the people so that they can listen to the voice of the Lord and not harden their hearts.
Jesus came to open their mouths so that they can sing praises to the Lord and give thanks for His wonderful deeds.
When we sin, we separate ourselves from God and we close our ears to the voice of God and no prayer comes from our mouths.
Jesus came to forgive and to save and turn our hearts back to God, so that our ears can hear again what the Lord our God has to say to us and with our mouths we will respond with praise and thanksgiving.