SERMON/HOMILY FOR 19TH FRIDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
SERMON/HOMILY FOR 19TH FRIDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: FULFILLING THE MANDATE OF MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Ezek 16:1-15, 60, 63; Psalm (Isaiah 12); Matt 19:3-12
“A great marriage is not when the perfect couple comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” (DAVE MEURER) Hence, love is tolerance!
Jesus prayed in John 17:21: “That they may be one”. Attaining this oneness, is best put into action if and only if our love is executed majorly from the heart and not lips (Isaiah 29:13). Having this in view, there are four major ingredients which we call properties of marriage according to the Code of canon law (Church’s laws) needed for this to come to realization: Marriage is for the good of the spouses, Procreation, Partnership of who life and lastly, for the education of offspring. However, many of us are failing in this regard due to our human weaknesses and non- chalant attitude sometimes. If all these are kept, let us be sure of the holiness of life which leads us to mingle with the risen lord when the time comes.
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If we may ask, what is God’s intention for our state in life, whether married or single? Jesus deals with the issue of divorce by taking his hearers back to the beginning of creation and to God’s plan for the human race. In Genesis 2:23-24 we see God’s intention and ideal that two people who marry should become so indissolubly one that they are one flesh. That ideal is found in the unbreakable union of Adam and Eve. They were created for each other and for no one else. They are the pattern and symbol for all who were to come. Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce as a concession in view of a lost ideal. Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state before those who are willing to accept his commands. Jesus, likewise sets the high ideal for those who freely renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Both marriage and celibacy are calls from God to live a consecrated life, that is to live as married couples or as singles who belong not to themselves but to God. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. He gives the grace and power to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do we seek Christ and his grace in our states of life?
Reflection: A wayward wife who departs from her parent’s home without changing her attitude hasn’t gotten to her final destination.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, your call to holiness extends to all in every state of life. Sanctify our lives–as married couples and as singles, that we may live as men and women who are consecrated to you. Make us leaven in a society that disdains life-long marriage fidelity, chastity, and living single for the Lord. Amen
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