Daily Readings - Fri Feb 28 2025
Mark
1And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.2And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"3He answered them, "What did Moses command you?"4They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away."5And Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.6But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.'7'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,8and they shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.9What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."10And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.11And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her,12and if she divorces her husband and marries 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.