Daily Readings
In those days:
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:
PS 81:10-11AB, 12-13, 14-15
Response: (R): 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>
“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>
“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>
SECOND READING:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
GOSPEL: Mark 7:31-37
At that time:
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.”
DAILY REFLECTION: 13 February 2026
Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Abijah, the prophet, prophesies that the Lord will give Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, 10 tribes of the North to rule over as king after the death of Solomon. This is the beginning of the destruction of Israel. The prophet is said to be wearing a new cloak which he tears up into 12 pieces. The new cloak is symbolic of a new nation and each piece represents one of the 12 tribes.
The Gospel portrays Jesus healing a deaf-mute man using very symbolic actions. First, Jesus takes him aside – a sign that He wanted a personal face-to-face encounter with the man. Second, Jesus touches his ears and tongue – both of which were the weak-spots of the man. Third, Jesus gives the command “Ephphatha” – be opened.
God always works with us at a personal level. His care extends to those weak spots in our lives which He touches and commands to be healed.
Are you ready for God’s intimate healing touch?
Source : Archdiocese of Bombay