1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19 / Mark 7:31-37
Prophets played an important role in the Old Testament.
They speak the word from God to the kings and the people, they anointed kings, they even worked miracles and gave signs of things to come.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Ahijah gave a prophetic sign. He took the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve strips.
He then gave ten strips to Jeroboam to signify the breakup of king Solomon's kingdom into the Northern and Southern kingdoms.
But as much as prophets played an important role in the Old Testament, there is also no denying that prophets were also persecuted and killed.
Even though they were just messengers of God, yet because their prophet word were hard on the ears and bitter to swallow, hence the people took out their anger on them.
One aspect of our baptism is to be a prophetic people. We are called to speak the truth at all times.
We need to ask to Lord to give us strength and courage to "Be opened" to the truth and we also need to pray for others to be opened to the truth.