Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Reflections Friday June 10 2022
Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Reflection
Friday June 10, 2022
Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading I: 1 Kgs 19:9a,11-16
At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake— but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire— but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?” He replied, “I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” The LORD said to him, “Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus. When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram. Then you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.”
Responsorial Psalm: 27:7-8a,8b-9abc,13-14
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
1. Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
2. Your presence, O LORD, I seek. Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off.
3. I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
Alleluia: Phil 2:15d,16a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.
Gospel: Mt 5:27-32
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Catholic Daily Reflections Friday June 10 2022
The words Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel may be difficult for many of us to hear. He says, “You know the commandment which says, ‘Be faithful in marriage.’” Naturally, Jesus was speaking specifically about being faithful to marriage vows.However, His call to fidelity also encompasses religious vows, priesthood, and other permanent commitments. I suspect that Jesus hopes that married couples will not simply be faithful to their marriage vows in a minimal way but that married couples also will strive to keep their commitment strong and their love deep.
In today’s world, everyday we hear of celebrity couples as well as couples we know who are separating and getting a divorce. At times, this truly is the right choice. However, I believe that a mindset has evolved over the past 10 or 20 years that if a “marriage is not working as I want it to work,” then it is time to move on.
In many cases this is true. If abuse, anger, or unhealthy behaviors have destroyed a marriage, then getting a divorce or separating likely is a healthy choice. However, we live in a disposable culture.
Many items that we buy have a short shelf life in our society. Manufacturers may not use the best materials available due to cost, or they make their products to wear out sooner so that their customers need to buy replacements.
This pattern of a disposable culture often transfers to other areas of our lives: such as a committed relationship, responsibility for children and other family members who need to be loved and cared for.
This also includes financial responsibility Today, I invite you to take some time and ask yourself: How do I engage in this disposable culture with my family, my workplace, my community, my church? What and who might I consider disposable? What do I consider inconvenient and so I choose not do what needs to be done?
None of us want to be disposable to another individual, organization, or society; yet at times we also act as if other people are. Our culture encourages this daily. We need to strengthen our culture, our world, and our lives with good and healthy values that encompass our planet and all of creation. Hopefully, we will model these values every day of our lives by the choices we make.
