February 9, 2004, Friday of the fifth week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first book of kings.

Jeroboam left Jerusalem, and the prophet Ahijah the Shailenite met him on the road.

The two were alone in the area 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.

The Word of the Lord. The responsorial Psalm. The response is, 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.

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.

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

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark. 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 impelled him 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,

Afathatha, that is, be opened.

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