Today, 24th of January, we celebrate
Saint Francis de Sales
Reading 1 Jas 5:9-12
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of the perseverance of Job,
and you have seen the purpose of the Lord,
because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear,
either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath,
but let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No,”
that you may not incur condemnation.
Responsorial Psalm PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 11-12
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Gospel Mk 10:1-12
Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.
Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom,
he again taught them.
The Pharisees approached him and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
“Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
“Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery.”
Yoked together
Today is the “World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.” Today, the Catholic faithful in China celebrate with particular devotion the Feast of the Blessed Virgin, Mary Help of Christians, and Patroness of China, venerated at the Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai. We entrust all the Pastors and faithful of the Church in China to the guidance and protection of our Heavenly Mother.
The Jewish society of Jesus’ time commonly believed that men were superior to women. A man had complete ownership over his wife and had the power to initiate a divorce. The wife had no right to divorce her husband.
Jesus, in a radical departure from societal norms, unequivocally rejected the cultural suppositions of his time. He proclaimed that God had created humans equal, regardless of gender. In his teachings, he emphasizes that both men and women derived their origin and dignity from God without any form of differentiation.
Talking about the irrevocable covenant of marriage, Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let no man asunder. However, the Greek term for “Joined” used by the evangelist is poorly translated, referring only to divorce and, therefore, failing to fully capture the intended meaning conveyed by Jesus. The Greek word for «joined» can be more accurately translated as «yoked together». In the marriage union, this image suggests a man and a woman with different abilities and gifts are able to contribute equally and appreciate each other’s unique qualities. Both partners reflect the loving and creative nature of God, in whose image both had been fashioned.
bible-claret.orgJoined Together By God
Introduction
James gives practical advice. We have to wait in patience for the coming of the Lord, and also be patient with one another. Then, we should be reliable people who stand by their given word.
To Christ, marriage is planned by God to be indissoluble. Infidelity in marriage and divorce are against the will of God, whose faithfulness is the model of fidelity in marriage. In this eucharist we pray for fidelity for our Christian couples and for all of us in our commitments for fidelity to God and our neighbor.
Opening Prayer
You have created us, Lord our God,
for friendship and for durable love,
and you have shown us in Jesus your Son
how to live for one another and for you.
May we learn from him
to remain faithful to one another,
each one according to one’s calling in life.
Let our love for one another be
the language in which you speak to us
and the sign that you are near to us
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Intentions
– For the homes built on unselfish love, that through them we may understand better all the depth of God’s love, we pray:
– For homes that are broken and for partners who have failed each other, that people may show them understanding and that God may give them mercy, we pray:
– For those who have renounced marriage for the sake of serving God in others, that they may never become loners but that their hearts may be spacious and warm, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Our God and faithful Father,
we have brought bread and wine before you
and are gathered around the table of your Son
to celebrate that we are, and want to be ever more,
a covenant community with you and with one another.
Accept our thanks and praise
and let us experience here
that you are on the way with us
whenever we are united with one another
in serving and loving faithfulness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father,
you have entrusted love to us
not as a finished product
but as an assignment for life.
Let the love of your Son
which we have experienced here in this eucharist
invest our love with indestructible faithfulness,
that it may weather all storms
and keep growing in depth,
until you crown it with your joy
that lasts for ever and ever.
Blessing
We admire reliable, faithful love. We find a model for it in God’s love, as exemplified in Jesus. May our love also be strong and faithful, especially in marriage. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
