23 May
Fri
7th Week in Ordinary Time
James 5:9-12
Ps. 102:1-2,3-4,8-9,11-12
Mk. 10:1-12
(Ps Wk III)
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The stress on the Lord's compassion and kindness in the first reading is linked to the compassion and love found in God's patience with us because He loves us.

Tied to this compassion, love and patience are the virtues of commitment and fidelity. Commitment to God is seen in our being straightforward, our not making half-promises. A "yes" is a "yes" and not a "maybe," not an "If I have time ¡K" nor "If nothing else gets in the way ¡K". A young man who wrote to his girlfriend swearing to climb every mountain and swim every ocean for her, but who ends his letter with: "I shall see you on Saturday if it does not rain" is certainly not a model of the commitment desired of us!

Commitment is seen in Jesus' own actions. Mark says: "And again crowds gathered ¡K and again He taught them." That is exactly what commitment is: "and again"; "and again;" - a never-ending fidelity. It is any wonder that Jesus should answer the Pharisees' question on the permissibility of divorce with a firm: "What God has united, man must not divide" Later, He goes further to declare even more clearly that fidelity is the responsibility of everyone, male and female, for fidelity is not just to one's spouse but more so to God and His plans for humankind. Patience, commitment, and fidelity are irrevocably linked in God's love and compassion for the human race.



Lord, may we be given the grace to be as unendingly patient, committed and faithful to our fellowmen and women as You have been with us. Amen.

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 Christians may use literature, art and the mass-media to greater advantage in order to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person.
Elaboration

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