DAILY- HOMILY

10 June 2016 

Friday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time

Green.         

1 Kgs 19: 9a, 11 – 16 / Mt 5:27–32

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:27 - 32

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery. But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has in fact already committed adultery with her in his heart.

"So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pull it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

"It was also said: anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.  But what I tell you is this: If a man divorces his wife except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

Reflection

A gangrenous foot or part of the body is best amputated to prevent the gangrene from spreading to the rest of the body.  Is this also true for Christianity?

Christ speaks of gouging our eyes or amputating our body parts if they cause us to sin in order to preserve the rest of the body.  Is this to be understood literally?  Our body can be a vessel for holiness but it can also be a vessel for self-destruction.  The mouth and tongue that praise God are also used to gossip and make use of foul language.  With the eyes we can contemplate the beauty of God's creation but they can also be used to watch pornography.  

What is the mutilation referred to in the gospel?  It is a radical losing of oneself to follow Jesus.  It entails sacrifices and risks for love of Christ and neighbor – cutting off from illicit relationships, avoiding barkadas that lead to the practice of drunkenness, etc.  

Fasting is one weapon which we can practice against excessive use of computer or television.  Temperance is a virtue whereby we eat and drink in moderation and use the goods of the world properly.  Our body, according to St. Francis of Assisi, is like a stubborn donkey that needs to be beaten at times to make it submit to us.  

Sacrifices, therefore, make the spirit healthier, because since we are both flesh and spirit, we have not been created just to satisfy the cravings of the flesh. So spending more time to listen to God's words is giving food for the soul. God's word will teach us how to fight the temptations of the flesh.     

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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