DAILY- HOMILY

June 14, 2019 - FRIDAY, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Green.

2 Cor 4: 7 – 15 / Mt 5: 27 – 32

FROM THE 1ST READING: 2 Cor 4: 7 – 10
However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all- surpassing power may not be seen as ours but God's. Trials of every sort come to us but we are not discouraged. We are left without answer but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed. At any moment we carry in our person the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us.

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 to satisfy his lust 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
In the Gospel reading Jesus clarifies that adultery is committed not only in deed but also in thought and in the heart: "Do not commit adultery. But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman to satisfy his lust has in fact already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Jesus also declares the indissolubility of Christian marriage. In the parallel passage in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus refers to the Old Testament, "man has 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. Therefore let no one separate what God has joined." (Mk 10: 7 – 9)

In the Gospel reading Jesus says that we should prefer to lose our eye or whatever part of the body responsible for sin, rather than risk damnation because of sin. If something or some place might cause us to sin, avoid it. If a show brings lustful thoughts and acts, avoid it. Do we have any real choice?

The following of Christ is not easy: Jesus speaks of the narrow path. Jesus says that his disciples, following a crucified Lord, should also be ready to carry their own crosses.

But if we love the Lord, nothing is difficult to give; with God's grace, nothing is impossible..

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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