Responding to our unique vocation (HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (AUGUST 16, 2024)
HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (AUGUST 16, 2024) Ezekiel 16:1-15,60,63; Isa.12; Matthew 19:3-12 Responding to our unique vocation “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” By this question, the Pharisees in today’s gospel, sought for an exception to the law of indissolubility of marriage such that the bond of marriage will no longer be permanent. Probably one or two difficult experiences may have informed this question of the Pharisees. In fact, today, some couples tend to regret the day they vowed to remain one for the rest of their lives. Jesus’ answer was simply to reiterate the indissolubility of marriage. When man and woman become one, we cannot talk about separation without destruction. Thus in stressing the unity of marriage, Jesus was calling for perseverance. There will be many factors and situations that will threaten the peaceful co-existence of married people. In all, they must learn to overcome. As soon as a man and woman valid