1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19 / Mark 7:31-37
To suffer a fractured bone or a broken bone, it is needless to say that it is very painful.
The pain can be intense and sharp, and often described as a “screaming” or deep, throbbing ache.
For relationships to be fractured or broken, it is certainly painful.
For a family to be divided or fractured or broken, the pain increases.
For a country to be divided or fractured or broken, it is difficult to find words to express the pain.
As a nation, Israel reached the heights of glory with king David and king Solomon.
But from king Solomon onwards, the country spiraled down in unfaithfulness and idolatry, and finally into division.
And all that tragedy is because the king and the people did not listen to the voice of the Lord God.
In the gospel, Jesus opened the ears of the deaf man by putting His fingers into the man’s ears.
And then Jesus said “Ephphatha” which mean “be opened”, and the man’s ears were opened and he was able to hear again.
May our ears and hearts be opened to the Word of God that is proclaimed.
May the Word of God find a home in our hearts, and may we share the Word of God to those who are hurting from broken and fractured relationships.