Weekly readings March/April 2019
Friday 1 March
Ecclesiasticus 6.5-17
Psalm 118, Mark 10.1-12
Friendship has always been a crucial part of life so it is not surprising that this theme threads through the Scriptures. One of the most beautiful reflections is in today’s extract from Sirach. Faithful friends are a treasure, totally different from those who are shallow. The young in Sirach’s school are taught that for such friendship an important principle is to revere the Lord (First Reading: Ecclus. 6.5-17). There were many different opinions about the grounds for divorce in the First Century CE so the Pharisees are testing Jesus to see if he is strict or liberal in his approach. But he rises above the debate to point to God’s plan as proclaimed in Genesis. His disciples are clearly surprised about his words so he repeats them plainly. We pray today for all who are happily married, for those who have difficulties in their marriage, for the separated, the divorced, the re-married and their families and all who live alternative life-styles. We live in a complicated society (Gospel: Mk. 10.1-12).
