Daily Readings - Fri Feb 28 2025

Sirach

5A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man6Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor7If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily8For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation9And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults10And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need11A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household12If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship13Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends14A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure15Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity16A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one17He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him

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

In today's readings, we explore the essence of meaningful relationships through the lenses of friendship and marriage. The Book of Sirach praises the virtues of true friendship, describing a loyal friend as a treasure beyond material wealth. Such a friend stands by you through all life's challenges, embodying faithfulness and harmony. This passage, part of wisdom literature, offers practical advice on cultivating virtuous relationships, emphasizing the importance of trust and fidelity. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus discusses the sanctity of marriage, highlighting its indissoluble nature as intended by God. He teaches that marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman, meant to be unbroken. This conversation with the Pharisees underscores the seriousness with which we should approach relationships, reflecting God's original design for unity and love. Both readings converge on the themes of commitment and fidelity. Whether in the deep bond of friendship or the lifelong vow of marriage, these relationships mirror God's faithful love. They remind us to nurture our connections with care and dedication, recognizing the sacred trust they entail. As we navigate our own relationships, let us strive to embody the loyalty and love that God exemplifies, fostering bonds that endure through life's joys and trials.