Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

“St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe”, 
Photographer and Date are UNKNOWN

Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe

 

Vigil for the Feast of the Assumption

 

Readings for Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: Joshua 24:1-13

 

Commentary on Jos 24:1-13

 

This selection of Joshua summarizes God’s plan for the children of Israel to this point.  Joshua reminds them, speaking as an oral historian, of all that God has done.  This final verse echo’s God’s promise recorded in Deuteronomy 6:10 wherein the Lord gives them cities they did not build and crops they did not till.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22 and 24

 

R. His mercy endures forever.

 

Commentary on Ps 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22 and 24

 

This ancient litany of praise to God was probably sung just as we do in responsorial or antiphonal fashion.  Like the first reading this selection summarizes God’s saving works directed to the people of Israel.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12

 

Commentary on Mt 19:3-12

 

This passage from Matthew’s Gospel is foundational to our understanding of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Here we find Jesus challenged by Pharisees (possibly being asked to take sides in an argument but more likely to be tricked). Jesus comments on the origins of marriage and its sanctity are attacked again using Mosaic Law. Jesus once more goes back to the Father’s intent but does give and out – “unless the marriage is unlawful”, that is, the sacramental bond did not exist from the beginning.

 

The discourse then switches to one between Jesus and his disciples as they discuss the idea of living the celibate life. Again the Lord tells them that this is not for everyone but “only for those to whom that is granted.” The Gospel links the call to marriage and celibacy, both are gifts from God.

 

CCC: Mt 19:1-12 2364; Mt 19:3-12 1620; Mt 19:3-9 2382; Mt 19:4 1652; Mt 19:6-12 2053; Mt 19:6 796, 1605, 1614, 1644, 2336, 2380; Mt 19:7-9 2382; Mt 19:8 1610, 1614; Mt 19:10 1615; Mt 19:11 1615; Mt 19:12 922, 1579, 1618

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reflection:

 

The Gospel passage from St. Matthew is so important that volumes have been written about its implications on both the Sacrament of Marriage and Holy Orders.  It is interesting that the two sacraments are joined even in scripture.

 

Central to our understanding of the sacramental bond celebrated in both these sacraments is the idea of indelibility.  If a sacrament exists it cannot be broken, it cannot leave.  Jesus, in this passage speaks the words used in the Sacrament of Marriage to describe the permanent nature of the bond (“what God has joined together, man must not separate”).

 

It is the understanding of the Church when it witnesses the sacraments that they cannot be undone.  Rather, if at a later time it is found that the call to the sacrament of marriage is untenable or not present or if the call to Holy Orders no longer exists, a mistake was made at the onset and the sacraments were not present in the first place.  This is the reason for the existence of the Marriage Tribunals and the mechanisms at the Vatican to make certain the mistake was made and it is something not taken lightly.  God’s instruments of grace are not to be taken lightly.

 

Today we thank God for the gift of Marriage and the gift of Holy Orders.  We ask the heavenly Father to strengthen the gifts of grace provided in these sacraments and pray that those so called will be faithful to their callings.

 

Pax

---

[1] ALTRE

[2] The photograph is of “St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe”, Photographer and Date are UNKNOWN