14 June, 2024 | Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

 Reading 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16

Gospel Mt 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples:

"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.

But I say to you,

everyone who looks at a woman with lust

has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin,

tear it out and throw it away.

It is better for you to lose one of your members

than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.

And if your right hand causes you to sin,

cut it off and throw it away.

It is better for you to lose one of your members

than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

"It was also said,

Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.

But I say to you,

whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful)

causes her to commit adultery,

and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

Reflection:

 Family-life is a blessing that can be fulfilled only by God’s grace for it. There was a time, marriages were arranged by elders, with absolutely no conversations regarding the possibility of divorce.  In our times today, we have young couples preparing contracts and agreements keeping in focus the aftermath of a divorce.

Jesus gives us a very simple and useful tip towards a healthy family-life.  He invites us to cast out the causes of sin, instead of having to regret a bigger tragedy later.  Even before committing adultery, remove from your being those pangs of lust, he commands.  Metaphorically he even challenges us to tar out your eyes or your right hand, if that could prevent you from having to lose your entire body. Accepting God as the everlasting-love that binds the spouses in a marriage covenant also means that they continue to strive in their steadfast love for one another, keeping God as the centre of their marriage relationship.

  

Activity:  

Collect Bible-verses on steadfast love and the marriage covenant and keep them handy so as to help those who may be facing difficult marriage situations.  Offer much prayers for the success of the marriages of near and dear ones and for those in your community.