REFLECTIONS TODAY
I was doing a walking pilgrimage when I met an elderly lady. We had the same goal and destination, since she was also doing the same pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. When she learned that I am a priest, she poured out her difficulty in living the faith. She narrated how she had long divorced her husband and is living with another, and as a Catholic, she understands that by this fact she is prevented from receiving Holy Communion every time she hears Mass. She was shedding tears as she sobbed in telling her story. I was really lost for words. Deep inside, I knew I had to comfort her as a follower of Christ. But I was also cautious lest I teach her something contrary to Christ’s own teaching. I assured her that we believe in a merciful God. I asked her if it was okay to embrace her, and with her consent, gave her through embrace what I could not give in words. To follow Christ is to follow what he taught. He taught the sanctity of marriage, but he likewise taught compassion.
The Church has identified lack of preparation as one of the reasons why marriage does not end well. As a priest, I have encountered many a married individual struggling to cope with life with their cheating partner or with being separated from the partner after a tumultuous relationship. Too bad, most of the time, no ample time is committed to prepare the candidates for marriage, leading to problems later.
Our readings this Sunday remind us to hold Matrimony in high regard, since it is of divine institution. We are also reminded of the complementary role of each partner in marriage. I always emphasize at weddings that marriage is a co-responsibility. Both man and woman need to be mature. Both must be committed. Both must be responsible.
Let us always pray for the preservation of family life and sanctity of marriage. Let us also be compassionate to the people who find themselves in difficulty after having a failed or troubled marriage.
First Reading • Gn 2:18-24
The Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” So the Lord God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.
So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called ‘woman,’/ for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.
Gospel • Mark 10:2-16 [or 10:2-12]
The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.