Matthew 19,3-12

August 18, 2023 (Friday)
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Matthew 19,3-12
Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any
cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male
and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh’? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has
joined together, let no one separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a
certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted
that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you,
whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery. “His disciples said
to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not
everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have
been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are
eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept
this who can.”

Reflection:
God’s mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136). Pope Francis says mercy is God’s name. Likewise, Pope
Benedict XVI also spoke of this in his teachings: “Mercy is in reality the core of the Gospel message; it is
the name of God himself, the face with which he revealed himself fully in Jesus Christ.” In the opening
words of the Rule of the Brothers we read these words, “deeply moved by the human and spiritual distress
of the children of artisans and of the poor, John Baptist de La Salle and his first Brothers made a lifelong
commitment to God to provide these children with a human and Christian education.” As educators we are
called to reflect daily on the activities of our teaching ministry. “What deeply moved me today and how did I
respond?” are two helpful questions to ask ourselves at the end of each day. (Br. Mark Mckeon, FSC)

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, the spirit of faith is a “spirit that allows one to judge and evaluate things in the light of the
gospel.” In relation to the gospel, the LGP encourages us to respond as one in the mission entrusted to us
by our Father Founder. As Lasallians, may we always be ready to respond “Yes” to every situation that
needed our service. It is our call to be true Christians and a true Lasallian. (Sofia Ferre)

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

Our Daily Lasallian Gospel, Prayer and Reflection is a DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and the Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.

https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle