READINGS

1st Reading: Joshua 24: 1-13: I gave you a land you never toiled, vineyard and olive-groves you never planted.

Resp. Psalm: 136: Great is his love, love without end.

Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12: Husband and wife are no longer two, but one body.

REFLECTION

Our God is good, his merciful love and faithfulness endures forever. Each of us are called to love as Christ loves. How did he love? He laid down his life for all mankind to be saved and reconciled to the Father. Love comes with great sacrifice. It demands perseverance, faithfulness and trust.In today’s gospel, we have a discussion on Marriage as against Divorce. Marriage is a reflection of the Trinitarian love and Jesus says ‘’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…’’

In becoming one flesh, there will be times when the wine will run out. The glass is empty. On such days life seems empty and dry. There is no vibrancy or vitality. Nothing is growing or fermenting within husband or wife .The bouquet of life is absent and you are living less than fully alive.Each marriage has a story of how the wine ran out(in all vocations). Some will speak about their search for love and acceptance. Some will describe their thirst for meaning and significance. That separation can exist but it is our prayer life, enduring faithfulness and forgiveness that can make us reflect the love of God and foster unity in any vocation.

May Jesus the Bridegroom transform our inner life, our way of being and the circumstances outside us. May Christ transforms our lives, turning water into wine through the initiative and intercession of Mary. That which was colorless be made vibrant red. That which had no taste now tingles the tongue. That which had no fragrance now has a full bouquet. That which had no life start fermenting, active, and alive. Amen.

Fr. Osho,