Daily Readings - Fri Mar 01 2019
Mark
1Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"3"What did Moses command you?" he replied.4They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away."5"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied.6"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'7'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,8and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one.9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."10When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this.11He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.12And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits 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.