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Love, Peace and Joy

 

by Food For Thought on May 24, 2013 ·

The gospel teaches us about the sanctity of the sacrament of marriage. It is truly God’s will for us to be faithful to our marriage vows. Christ said that husband and wife become one flesh and thus “let no one separate what God has joined” (Mark 10:9).

God has given us the laws and commandments so that we can live in peace, love and happiness. However, we have been continuously questioning God’s authority upon us, His creation. Because of our stubbornness, we make our own laws to suit our selfish interests. Moses wrote a law on divorce not because he agreed to divorce. He disapproved divorce because it is against God’s commandment. His intention was to discourage the Jews from getting divorced by having to undergo difficult procedures for the divorce to take effect. Yet, this did not stop the Jews from divorcing their spouses. Even today, we have become so proud and materialistic to the point of being gods ourselves. We live in a busy and materialistic world that we disregard the teachings of God. We stubbornly change the laws to fit our whimsical, capricious and selfish ways. Laws on divorce and abortion are passed without regard to their effects. Studies have shown that children of divorced parents suffer tremendous emotional and psychological pain. Women who underwent abortion live a life of guilt and regret.

Let us follow God’s will for us, His children, the way Christ loved and obeyed his Father, and so enjoy the fruits that will bring to our lives – love, peace, and joy.


29 posted on 05/24/2013 9:30:13 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 


<< Friday, May 24, 2013 >>
 
Sirach 6:5-17
View Readings
Psalm 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34-35 Mark 10:1-12
 

SUPER RELATIONSHIPS

 
"The two shall become as one." —Mark 10:8
 

The Lord has taken the relationship of marriage and raised it to a supernatural level. "They are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore let no man separate what God has joined" (Mk 10:8-9).

Moreover, the Lord has raised the relationships of friendship, brotherhood, and sisterhood to a supernatural level. In our new life, through grace, faith, and Baptism, we have become more than friends and more than natural brothers and sisters. In the old covenant, the Lord graced people with faithful friendships, which were "sturdy shelters," "treasures," and "life-saving remedies" (see Sir 6:14-16). However, these beautiful friendships were rare (see Sir 6:6). In the new covenant, the Lord has given us a hundred times as many brothers and sisters than we had before we left everything to follow Jesus (Mk 10:29-30). Moreover, these relationships are deeper than humanly possible. By God's grace, we can love our brothers and sisters to the point of laying down our lives for them (1 Jn 3:16). We can be one with them as Jesus and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). We can have Trinity-unity.

Live the new, supernatural relationships of the new life in Christ.

 
Prayer: Father, may all my relationships be in You. May they be pure, loving, and holy.
Promise: "A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings." —Sir 6:5
Praise: Herman was too shy to even greet people during the sign of peace at Mass. A friend wrote him a letter telling him to let his light shine, for no one lights a lamp to be put under a bushel basket (Mt 5:15-16). Jesus instantly changed his heart. Thirty years later, Herman has ministered the light of Jesus to thousands of people.

30 posted on 05/24/2013 9:39:07 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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