Your word is truth, O Lord:
consecrate us in the truth. JN 17:17
JAMES 5:9-12 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
We know that all division comes from Satan and our fragmented world is proof of how powerfully and successfully the devil has succeeded in polarizing nations, people, neighbors, friends, and even members of a family.
Each one holds on to their views rigidly and there is no room for discussion, understanding, openness, charity, and the freedom to take a stand based on a different perspective than one's own.
Today we are reminded to be patient with one another and to bear with one another rather than quarrel and further alienate each other. We are encouraged to imitate the prophets in Sacred Scripture who patiently held their peace despite being persecuted and held on steadfastly to the Truth.
Finally, St. James urges us not to use oaths or to swear either by heaven or earth or we will be liable to judgment, instead, our integrity must be so evident that neither will ever be necessary because we abide and walk in Truth.
PSALM 103:1-4,8-9,11-12 ©
MARK 10:1-12 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
You always taught divine Truth to the large crowds that followed You wherever You went. And as always there were those who came because they hungered for Truth and there were those like the Pharisees who came only to challenge and to trap You.
Today, the Pharisees asked You this question, ‘Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?’ The evangelist, Mark, says clearly that they asked this to test You. They were well aware of what the Law of Moses said concerning divorce, it was permitted by law. One would imagine the matter was settled but then You take them beyond the Law to the beginning when God laid the foundations of the world, created man and woman, and God's intent when He created them. These are Your exact words, ‘From the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’ There is no ambiguity here and yet those who preach and teach Sola Scriptura have no qualms of conscience in ignoring God's divine commandment on the indissolubility of marriage.
As if this were not clear enough, when the disciples question You further, You tell them emphatically, ‘The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.’
Our world is disintegrating before our very eyes because we have failed to honor Your command. Have mercy on us Lord, and grant us the grace to embrace the wisdom of Your commands and to walk in the Way of Truth and we shall live.
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