Friday (August 17): “What God has joined together, man must not separate.”

Mabuhay at Mabuting Balita!
Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

We are at Jesus’ disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that’s all right, everything is all right. We must say, “I belong to you. You can do whatever you like.” And this ..is our strength, and this is the joy of the Lord.
— Blessed Mother Teresa http://origin.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.asp#17

First Reading: Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63 or Ezekiel 16:59-63
Isaiah 12:2-6: You have turned from your anger.
Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12
Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying,
“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”
He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning
the Creator made them male and female and said,
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, man must not separate.”
They said to him, “Then why did Moses command
that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?”
He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts
Moses allowed you to divorce your wives,
but from the beginning it was not so.
I say to you, whoever divorces his wife
(unless the marriage is unlawful)
and marries another commits adultery.”
His disciples said to him,
“If that is the case of a man with his wife,
it is better not to marry.”
He answered, “Not all can accept this word,
but only those to whom that is granted.
Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so;
some, because they were made so by others;
some, because they have renounced marriage
for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.” http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081712.cfm

Video Reflection: http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/

Reflection: 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 the single life 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 strength, joy, and blessing to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do you seek the Lord Jesus and his grace for your state of life?

“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.” http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/aug17.htm

Saints of the Day: St. Joan of the Cross (1666-1736)
An encounter with a shabby old woman many dismissed as insane prompted St. Joan to dedicate her life to the poor. For Joan, who had a reputation as a businesswoman intent on monetary success, this was a significant conversion.

Born in 1666 in Anjou, France, Joan worked in the family business—a small shop near a religious shrine—from an early age. After her parents’ death she took over the shop herself. She quickly became known for her greediness and insensitivity to the beggars who often came seeking help.

That was until she was touched by the strange woman who claimed she was on intimate terms with the deity. Joan, who had always been devout, even scrupulous, became a new person. She began caring for needy children. Then the poor, elderly and sick came to her. Over time she closed the family business so she could devote herself fully to good works and penance.

She went on to found what came to be known as the Congregation of St. Anne of Providence. It was then she took the religious name of Joan of the Cross. By the time of her death in 1736 she had founded 12 religious houses, hospices and schools. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1982. http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1110

More Saints of the Day
St. Amor of Amorbach
St. Anastasius IX
Bl. Bartholomew Laurel
Bl. Caspar and Mary Vaz
St. Donatus of Ripacandida
St. Drithelm
St. Frances Bizzocca
Bl. Francis Kuloi
Bl. Francis Kurobiove
St. Hiero
St. James the Deacon
St. Jeanne Delanoue
St. John of Monte Marano
St. Liberatus
Bl. Louis Someyon
St. Luke Kiemon
St. Mamas of Caesarea
Bl. Martin Gomez
Bl. Michael Kiraiemon
Bl. Miguel Kurobioye
St. Myron
St. Paul and Juliana
St. Theodulus
Bl. Thomas Vinyemon
Let me be the change I want to be. Even if I am not the light, I can be the spark.