Daily Readings - Fri May 25 2018
James
9Brothers, do not complain against one another, so that you may not be judged. Behold, the judge stands before the door10My brothers, consider the Prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of departing from evil, of labor, and of patience11Consider that we beatify those who have endured. You have heard of the patient suffering of Job. And you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate12But before all things, my brothers, do not choose to swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor in any other oath. But let your word ‘Yes’ be yes, and your word ‘No’ be no, so that you may not fall under judgment
Mark
1And rising up, he went from there into the area of Judea beyond the Jordan. And again, the crowd came together before him. And just as he was accustomed to do, again he taught them2And approaching, the Pharisees questioned him, testing him: "Is it lawful for a man to dismiss his wife?3But in response, he said to them, "What did Moses instruct you?4And they said, "Moses gave permission to write a bill of divorce and to dismiss her.5But Jesus responded by saying: "It was due to the hardness of your heart that he wrote that precept for you6But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female7Because of this, a man shall leave behind his father and mother, and he shall cling to his wife8And these two shall be one in flesh. And so, they are now, not two, but one flesh9Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.10And again, in the house, his disciples questioned him about the same thing11And he said to them: "Whoever dismisses his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her12And if a wife dismisses her husband, and is married to another, she commits adultery.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of fidelity, integrity, and the enduring nature of commitments made in love. In the first reading from James, we are reminded not to complain against one another or swear oaths, as our words and actions should reflect the sincerity of our hearts. James encourages patience and trust in God’s providence, even in the face of trials, using the example of the prophets and the patience of Job to illustrate the value of enduring hardship with faith. This passage calls us to live with honesty and humility, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or deceive others through our words or actions.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the question of marriage and divorce, emphasizing the permanence of the union between a man and a woman as God originally intended. The Pharisees approach Jesus with a question about the legality of divorce, but Jesus goes deeper, pointing to the heart of the matter. He reminds us that marriage is not merely a human institution but a sacred bond established by God. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to understand marriage as a lifelong commitment rooted in love, fidelity, and mutual support, rather than a temporary arrangement that can be easily discarded.
Together, these readings encourage us to live with integrity and fidelity in all our relationships. James calls us to sincerity in our words and actions, while Jesus emphasizes the importance of upholding the sacred commitments we make to one another. In our daily lives, this means being truthful and reliable in our interactions, avoiding unnecessary oaths or complaints, and striving to build relationships that reflect the love and faithfulness of God. Let us ask for the grace to live with patience, honesty, and perseverance, trusting that God’s plan for us is one of mercy, compassion, and enduring love.