"LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME; DO NOT PREVENT THEM,
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE."
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE."
Today’s liturgical readings remind us that the family is the first and basic institution of human society. Its nature and purpose are inscribed in the very makeup of man and woman who are incomplete in themselves. This is why they need the help of “the other half” to reach their full potentials and satisfy their affective, emotional, and physical needs.
Unfortunately, sin has sown in many families the seeds of selfishness and unfaithfulness, which lead to most painful breakups. Jesus, who came to restore all aspects of our life to their original integrity, today reminds us of God’s plan for the human family and enjoins all to keep it the way God designed it to be. Thus let us remember in our prayers all families.
Tomorrow is World Teachers’ Day. As we celebrate this Eucharist, let our prayers for all teachers express our gratitude for the countless ways they have touched our lives.
The Pharisees approached Jesus 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.”
People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
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.”
People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
