I have been going to St. Antony's a lot more these days. Sometimes morning and in the evening; often for spending some time quietly.
This weeks readings at the church have been profound. The reading was about the few things that I keep in my heart and draw strength from.
on 9th August, Tuesday, the scripture was about Jesus telling us how our heart should be like; like little children - full of love and hate free.
"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." Mathew 18:4
On 11th August, Thursday, the scripture told us about what Jesus's idea of forgiving others for hurting us.
His disciple Peter asks Him, "Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother?"
The Jewish scriptures say seven times. But Jesus had a different view on forgiveness, mercy, compassion and letting go..
"I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Mathew 18:22
Today, Friday, on 12th of August, He tells us about how we should love as a married couple.
The occasion comes up when someone ask Him about divorce which was permitted in Jewish laws given by Moses generations ago.
Jesus takes them back to the original concept of love to give them a clearer understanding.
Gospel, Matthew 19:3-12
3 Some Pharisees approached him, and to put him to the test they said, 'Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?'
4 He answered, 'Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female
5 and that he said: This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh?
6 They are no longer two, therefore, but one flesh. So then, what God has united, human beings must not divide.'
7 They said to him, 'Then why did Moses command that a writ of dismissal should be given in cases of divorce?'
8 He said to them, 'It was because you were so hard-hearted, that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning.
9 Now I say this to you: anyone who divorces his wife -- I am not speaking of an illicit marriage -- and marries another, is guilty of adultery.'
10 The disciples said to him, 'If that is how things are between husband and wife, it is advisable not to marry.'
11 But he replied, 'It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted.
12 There are eunuchs born so from their mother's womb, there are eunuchs made so by human agency and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.'
Oh! Jesus, we pray for those who are married among us, let them be the way you wanted them to be. The ones total love and marriage was granted.
