Daily Readings - Fri May 25 2018
James
9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.10Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Mark
1And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.2And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.3And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?4And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.5And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.6But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.10And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.11And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.12And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth 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.