The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider how our relationships reflect Jesus' compassion and love.
The reading from the Book of James teaches about Patience and Oaths.
* [5:7–11] Those oppressed by the unjust rich are reminded of the need for patience, both in bearing the sufferings of human life (Jas 5:9) and in their expectation of the coming of the Lord. It is then that they will receive their reward (Jas 5:7–8, 10–11; cf. Heb 10:25; 1 Jn 2:18).
* [5:7] The early and the late rains: an expression related to the agricultural season in ancient Palestine (see Dt 11:14; Jer 5:24; Jl 2:23).
* [5:12] This is the threat of condemnation for the abuse of swearing oaths (cf. Mt 5:33–37). By heaven or by earth: these words were substitutes for the original form of an oath, to circumvent its binding force and to avoid pronouncing the holy name of God (see Ex 22:10). (James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 103 is a thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.
* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark is a teaching about Marriage and Divorce.
* [10:2–9] In the dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees on the subject of divorce, Jesus declares that the law of Moses permitted divorce (Dt 24:1) only because of the hardness of your hearts (Mk 10:4–5). In citing Gn 1:27 and 2:24 Jesus proclaims permanence to be the divine intent from the beginning concerning human marriage (Mk 10:6–8). He reaffirms this with the declaration that what God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mk 10:9). See further the notes on Mt 5:31–32; 19:3–9. (Mark, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
Rashmi Fernando, S.J. comments that marbles possess the unique trait of polishing each other upon friction, rendering their surfaces lustrous and reflective. Through this process, they mirror one another, blurring the distinction between self and other. It is in this mutual reflection that Jesus envisions the transformation of two into one flesh, fostering enduring love. When that happens between two persons, one begins to see himself/herself in the other. Not only one sees oneself in the other, but one begins to see the other not as ‘the other’, but as oneself. It is when, as Jesus proposes, they become “no longer two but one flesh” (Mk. 10:8), leading to love that endures.
Putting together, while hardness of heart breeds separation, a degree of malleability in our hearts fosters unity. The greater the moisture within, the more pliable, reflective, and enduring our capacity to love. Let us, therefore, strive to embody God's love within the sanctity of marriage, family, and our daily interactions, preserving the divine moisture without allowing it to be dry and hard.
Let us introspect:
How calloused is my heart presently?
What is the humidity level within the climate of my heart?
To what extent am I committed to nurturing enduring love?
What actions and adjustments can I undertake today to infuse greater love into my commitments? (Fernando, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Mutual servants, equally serving,” by Tertullian, 160-225 A.D.
"Where are we to find language adequately to express the happiness of that marriage which the church cements, the oblation confirms, the benediction signs and seals, the angels celebrate, and the Father holds as approved? For all around the earth young people do not rightly and lawfully wed without their parents' consent. What kind of yoke is that of two believers who share one hope, one desire, one discipline, one service? (Ephesians 4:4) They enjoy kinship in spirit and in flesh. They are mutual servants with no discrepancy of interests. Truly they are 'two in one flesh' (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31). Where the flesh is one, the spirit is one as well. Together they pray, together bow down, together perform their fasts, mutually teaching, mutually entreating, mutually upholding. In the church of God they hold an equal place. (Romans 12:15; 15:6; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12) They stand equally at the banquet of God, equally in crises, equally facing persecutions, and equally in refreshments. Neither hides anything from the other. Neither neglects the other. Neither is troublesome to the other (Philippians 1:27)."(excerpt from TO HIS WIFE 2.8) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:1-12 comments that even when couples have the best of intentions, they can sometimes reach an impasse in their relationship that they can’t seem to overcome. Sadly, there are also times when a spouse is at risk of abuse and must leave the marriage.
Jesus also longs to heal the deep-seated wounds that result from a broken marriage. As anyone who is divorced knows, this takes time, prayer, and support from pastors, counselors, and friends. The Church offers such healing through the annulment process. The experience of looking back on the origins of a relationship, though difficult, can provide clarity, closure, and, ultimately, God’s healing grace.
If you are divorced, be assured of God’s love and mercy. If you know someone who is struggling in their marriage or is in the middle of a divorce, provide a listening ear and encourage them to cling to the Lord. Finally, take a moment today to pray for all married couples. May they be witnesses of the great love God has for each one of us!
“Jesus, thank you for your mercy, which knows no bounds!” (Meditation on Mark 10:1-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on how the Spirit’s presence can transform our lives and institutions.
I think the simplest way to discern the presence of the Spirit is to look for where there is unity, where there’s movement toward reconciliation, for two becoming one, for enemies becoming friends. The Spirit self has no need to think of itself as better than anyone. We just live with an energy and aliveness that Paul called the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Our job is simply to stay inside the flow of the Spirit which is love. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the Holy Spirit as we ponder the saying about the truth setting us free even as we may journey through the pain of separation.
References
Fernando, R. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052424.html
James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5?9
Mark, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?1
Meditation on Mark 10:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/24/974506/
Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Transforming Spirit. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/transforming-spirit/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). What God Has Joined Together. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may24
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