Division

Homily for Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The last line of the reading from the First Book of Kings is ominous. Israel is thrown into a civil war when God divides the kingdom of Israel into two separate kingdoms. The northern kingdom is called Israel while the southern kingdom is called Judah. Jerusalem, the former capital of Israel, lies in the southern kingdom.

The rebellion that resulted in war between the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom brought with it great devastation. As we know from our own experience of civil war, the number of casualties is staggering as brother fights brother.

It is easy to think of God as the source of unity and healing. Yet it seems that God is also the source of division and destruction and chaos. God divides the kingdom because he wants to disrupt the idolatry and injustice that has developed during Solomon’s reign as king. The division is painful, but Israel’s sinful ways must be interrupted so that something new and better can emerge.

True peace, whether between individuals or nations, cannot exist if we ignore injustice and sin. Sin must be confronted and corrected even if this causes conflict and chaos.

At the same time, the Gospel text for today reminds us that God is indeed a healer. God desires that we and our community be healthy and whole. Jesus’ healing of the deaf man with the speech impediment is a sign of this truth.

As we approach Jesus in the Eucharist today, let us ask Jesus to show us where we need to be healed, and let us also ask him to give us the courage to confront whatever gets in the way of that healing.