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Readings: James 5:9-12, Mark 10:1-12

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered.

St. James recalls that the prophets endured the complaints, criticisms, and condemnation of their brothers and sisters. The Hebrews repeatedly complained against the prophet Moses in the desert, displeasing God and earning his serious chastisements. Perhaps Moses realized the ‘hardness of their hearts’ would incite them to reject any mandate of God’s original intention for marriage as an unbreakable lifelong union, thereby incurring severe condemnation. Yet, “blessed [are] those who have persevered” in keeping their marriage vows—blessed by God’s granting of needed graces and blessed by accepting these graces—those whose spousal “Yes” means “Yes.” What a prophetic witness their faithful love is to the world!

This entry was posted on February 28, 2014 at 9:00 am and is filed under Marriage and Family, Moses, Reflection. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.