Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary time

August 14, 2020

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary time

August 14, 2020

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Assistant Director for Retreat Ministry

 

Memorial Feast:  Saint Maximillian Kolbe, Martyr of Charity, (1894–+1941) – Patron Saint of Prisoners, Journalists, and the Pro-Life Movement

Book of the Prophet Ezekiel 16:59-63

Psalm (Isaiah 12)                      

Matthew 19:3-12

 

In today’s Gospel narrative, the Pharisees question Jesus about the topic of marriage, and specifically divorce.  This can be a very controversial topic today.  With your indulgence I would like to give you and opinion from someone who has been sacramentally married for many years and who is also a member of the clergy.  Me!

We are in the middle of the “wedding season.”  Summertime has traditionally been a time for people to marry.  The “colder” months are normally the time for the preparation for marriage.  Wedding coordinators are hired to make the bride and groom have a “special day” which will be one to remember forever.  Is it really?  How many couples take the time to truly discern the “vocation” of marriage?  You see, it’s much, much more than “one special day.”       

Marriage was intended to last “until death do us part.”  It is not easy.  The everyday “busyness,” as well as many other factors of our lives, can impact the marital bonds.   Divorce rates are at an all-time high (nearly 50 %.)  This and many other factors lead me to believe that the sacred vows, and promises made between the couple are sometimes forgotten.

We are living in unprecedented times.  COVID-19 has forced many couples to work from home, children study from home; wage earners are furloughed and are at home which can lead to tensions which cause marital strife.

So then, here is the opinion I promised you.  Just for today, let us who are married (as well as those who are preparing for marriage) take some time to reflect on the promises made on our wedding day.  If marriage is not our vocation, we must reevaluate what is most precious to us,  that is, each other.   What are we doing to help it grow?  Where is special attention needed?  Let us spend some time in gratitude for the blessings of our marriages as well as the lessons we have learned after struggling through our difficulties. 

Just for today, let us do something special for ourselves and our spouse; taking care of each other.

Question of the Day:  How will you remember the covenant you made with your spouse, yesterday, today and forever? 

Prayer:  “O God, who filled the Priest and Martyr Saint Maximilian Kolbe with a burning love for the Immaculate Heart of Mary and with zeal for souls and love of neighbor, graciously grant, through his intercession that striving for your glory by eagerly serving others we may be conformed, even until death, to your Son.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.

Please continue to pray for the victims of the Coronavirus and for all who are affected by this unprecedented pandemic as well as for peace in our country and in our world.

Prosit