DAILY- HOMILY

August 16, 2019 – FRIDAY, 19TH Week in Ordinary Time
St. Roch (Roque) / St. Stephen of Hungary, King
Memorial. White.

Jos 24: 1 – 1 / Mt 19: 3 – 12

St.  Roch  (San  Roque)  (1295  –  1327)  was  a  French  nobleman  who  is commonly invoked against the plague.

St. Stephen of Hungary (969/970 – 1038), King of Hungary, evangelized his country and founded numerous monasteries.

FROM THE 1ST READING: Jos 24: 1
Joshua summoned all the tribes of Israel in Shechem, and assembled the elders, leaders, judges and secretaries. And together they presented themselves before God.

GOSPEL READING: Mt 19: 3 – 9
Some Pharisees approached him. They wanted to test him and asked, "Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?"

Jesus replied, "Have you not read that in the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and he said: Man has now to leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body? So they are no longer two but one body; let no one separate what God has joined."

They asked him, "Then, why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?" Jesus replied, "Moses knew your stubborn heart, so he allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not so from the beginning.  Therefore, I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be for infidelity, and marries another commits adultery."

REFLECTION
In the first reading, Joshua assembled the people of Israel. He recounted all the good things God has done for his chosen people. He re-affirmed his fidelity to Yahweh: "So fear Yahweh, and be sincere and faithful in serving him. . . Serve only Yahweh. . . As for me, I and my household will serve Yahweh." (Jos 24: 14 – 15)

In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees, in efforts to trap Jesus, question him about marriage and divorce. In his reply, Jesus acknowledges Mosaic law which allowed divorce (due to their "stubborn hearts"). At the same time he affirms what the union of man and wife had been in God's plan: "Man has now to leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body? So they are no longer two but one body; let no one separate what God has joined."

Marriage is a very important institution in the Church and in civil society. The family is at the core of the Church and of civil society. The proper rearing and education of children are key to society's growth and prosperity.

Divorce is now allowed in most countries. The Catholic Church does not allow divorce.

The last extraordinary meeting of bishops in Rome focused on the family. Recognizing the difficulties and problems of many failed marriages, the Church has tried to improve its procedures and processes for marriage annulments. Pope Francis has spoken much about proper care, respect and understanding of couples whose marriages have failed, who have separated or obtained civil divorce or have re-married.

Let us pray for so many whose marriages have failed for whatever reason.

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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