A Homily for Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Friday, February 13, 2026
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 Mass
1 Kings 11:29–32; 12:19 | Psalm 81 | Mark 7:31–37
Audio Recording
In today’s first reading, we witness a painful moment in Israel’s history. Because Solomon’s heart had drifted from the Lord, the kingdom would be divided. What began as blessing and unity ends in fracture. The tearing of the cloak symbolizes something deeper: when hearts turn away from God, division follows.
The Responsorial Psalm gives us the Lord’s lament:
“If only my people would hear me… and walk in my ways.”
This is not the voice of anger, but of sorrow. God desires fidelity. He desires hearts that listen.
Then in the Gospel, we encounter a striking contrast. A man who is deaf and unable to speak clearly is brought to Jesus. The Lord takes him aside, away from the crowd. He touches his ears, touches his tongue, looks up to heaven, and says, “Ephphatha — Be opened!” Immediately, the man can hear and speak plainly.
Notice the connection. In the first reading, a people who would not listen lose unity. In the Gospel, a man who cannot hear is restored — and restoration brings wholeness.
The deeper message is this: spiritual deafness leads to spiritual division. When we stop listening to God, confusion and fracture follow. But when Christ opens our ears, clarity and healing return.
Jesus still says “Be opened” today. He says it to hearts closed by disappointment. He says it to ears filled with too many competing voices. He says it to tongues hesitant to speak truth or offer encouragement.
And notice how He heals: personally, gently, intentionally. He draws the man aside. The miracle begins in intimacy before it becomes proclamation. That is how grace often works in our lives. God meets us quietly in prayer, in Scripture, in the Eucharist — and only then does transformation overflow into witness.
We live in a noisy world. News, opinions, arguments, endless commentary. It is easy to hear everything except the Lord.
Today’s readings are an invitation to ask: Am I truly listening to God? Or have I grown spiritually hard of hearing?
To be opened means making space for silence. It means allowing Scripture to challenge us. It means letting the Lord loosen our tongues — to speak kindness instead of criticism, faith instead of fear. If division begins with closed hearts, unity begins with open ones.
May we allow Christ to touch our ears and our lips today. May we hear His voice clearly. And may we speak plainly of His goodness.
“Ephphatha.” Lord, open us.
God bless you.