16 Aug
Fri
19th Week in Ordinary Time
St Stephen of Hungary
Josh 24:1-13
Ps. 136(135):1,2,3,16,17,18,21,22,24
Mt. 19:3-12
(Ps Wk III)
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The reading and the gospel for today are about commitments. The former is about God's commitment to the Israelites from the time of Abraham's father, Terah, to the time of Joshua. Despite their many transgressions, God saved them from innumberable armies and rulers who were determined to conquer and enslave the Jewish people. They were God's chosen people and His commitment and mercy endures forever.

The Gospel reading from Matthew is the story of the Pharisees' attempt to trap Jesus by asking if a man can divorce his wife. Jesus defends the commitment of marriage as originally intended and explains that divorce was allowed in the time of Moses only because of the "hardness of the hearts" of the Jewish people at the time. Jesus is very straightforward in his expectation that marriage is a permanent commitment.

As God told the Israelites, "...it was not your sword or your bow. I gave you a land that you had not tilled and cities that you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant." For any of us who have been married for a long time, it is totally evident that we have not accomplished that long-term commitment on our own but with God's grace.



Lord, remain in us and my Your love bring perfection the love You have put in us.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That those who administer justice may work with integrity, and that the injustice which prevails in the world may not have the last word.
Elaboration

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