Daily Readings - Fri Mar 01 2019
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 sacred bonds of relationship and the fidelity that sustains them. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that true friendship is a gift from God, a treasure that requires trust, loyalty, and perseverance. The author warns us to test the mettle of those we call friends and to cherish those who stand by us through trials. A true friend, we are told, is a steadfast companion, a shelter in times of need, and a reflection of God’s faithfulness. This wisdom calls us to nurture our relationships with care and gratitude, recognizing that they are not merely human connections but also a way of experiencing God’s love.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the indissoluble union of marriage, emphasizing that it is not a human invention but a divine institution rooted in the order of creation. He challenges the Pharisees’ casual acceptance of divorce, insisting that marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman that reflects the unity and love of God. Just as a true friend is a gift, so too is a spouse. Jesus calls us to approach marriage with reverence, commitment, and fidelity, understanding that it is a vocation that mirrors the covenantal love of God for his people.
These readings remind us that all meaningful relationships—whether friendship or marriage—are rooted in God’s plan and call for us to live with fidelity and love. In a world where commitments are often fleeting, we are challenged to cherish and nurture the bonds that unite us. Let us ask ourselves: Am I a faithful friend? Am I a loyal spouse? Do I approach my relationships with the reverence and gratitude they deserve? May we seek to reflect God’s love in all our relationships, trusting that he will strengthen us to live with the fidelity and devotion that these sacred bonds require.