A Sacred Union

Readings for Friday February 25, 2011

First Reading: Sirach 6:5-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119
Gospel: Mark 10:1-12


Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mk 10:1-12)

"What God has joined together, no human must separate." It is no secret that the Sacrament of Marriage is under attack in our country, and in our world. This sacred union is vital to the strength of our families and the strength of our communities. Take time today to pray for marriages all around the world, and that those in power would seek to protect this sacred institution, rather than destroy it.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, we thank you so much for all that you have blessed us with, help us to be good stewards of all of our gifts. We pray for the strength of all marriages, that couples would seek to love each other as you call them to. We pray for our political leaders, that they would seek to uphold this sacred institution and to protect it with everything they have. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.