Cuius regio, eius religio

Feb. 9: Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

A king can unite or divide his people, by his example. King Solomon’s reign eventually led to the dissolution of the united kingdom of Israel.

Jesus’ example is a very different one—he unites by his compassion, while remaining faithful to the one, true God in heaven.

Reading 1

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.

Since ancient Hebrew writing didn’t have vowels, Ahijah’s cloak (slmh) is indistinguishable from Solomon’s name (slmh).

Ahijah tears the cloak up, and tells Jeroboam to pick up 10 pieces, which represent the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

The reading makes it seem like the kingdom breaks up immediately, but that’s just because we skipped over a couple dozen verses. Solomon first passes away, and his son Rehoboam becomes an awful tyrant. Still, Rehoboam retains control of the City of David, Jerusalem, so that everyone knows the House of David will continue waiting for the Messiah, as God promised.

In other words, things look bad now, but God will keep His still promises.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 81:10-11ab, 12-13, 14-15

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. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
"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. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
"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. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.

King Solomon had not remained faithful to God, but chose to worship other gods, too. As the saying goes, cuius regio, eius religio—“whose realm, their religion"—meaning that the religion of the ruler was to dictate the religion of those ruled. Solomon led many of his people astray, which ultimately causes the divisions we heard about in the first reading.

Alleluia

Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God doesn’t want to keep secrets from us, but we do have to open ourselves to Him.

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."

Jesus keeps trying to rest, but still, moved with compassion, helps the sick and infirm. He orders them not to tell anyone, but these people can’t help themselves. They proclaim the Good News!

But why is Jesus trying to hide his miracles? It’s called the “Messianic Secret.” Like any good messenger, Jesus needs to control the timing of his message. Not everyone was ready to hear what he had to say. (People still aren’t ready.)

He also had to be worried about authorities. There was a time and a place for his death and resurrection. Annoying the Sanhedrin or scaring the Romans might have kicked things off too soon.

Even for believers, Jesus needed to take some time. He had to reset the common notion of the Messiah as a political figure, a new king. Jesus was a different kind of king, with a different kind of kingdom, and that took some explaining.

Yet, none of that tempered Jesus’ compassion. He still performed miracles, and still does today. Why and when are beyond are understanding, just as they were beyond the understanding of the first century Jews who knew him personally.

All we can do is ask for help, and know that his love for us has never ceased, no matter what else happens.