Sometimes we forget things – birthdays, anniversaries, appointments. But we can forget bigger things, like our commitment to God. However, he always remembers his promises to us, and is always faithful. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Friday of week 19 of ordinary time (Memorial of St Maximilian Kolbe, martyr) can be found here.
Have you ever forgotten something? A birthday or anniversary? Where you’ve put your keys? A dentist appointment? These memory lapses are frustrating, and we kick ourselves when they happen, yet the consequences aren’t that devastating. More serious is if we forget our fundamental principles in life, such as keeping promises we have made or treating others with kindness and respect.
In our first reading today God criticises the people of Israel for breaking the covenant they had made with him. They have forgotten to be faithful and have forgotten to serve him as they should. Yet God’s memory is better than his people’s. “I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant”, God says. This in turn will remind the people of their promises to him.
In the Gospel reading the Pharisees demonstrate they have forgotten God’s purposes in creation. They have come to view marriage as a transaction, where a man can divorce his wife “for any cause”. Jesus must remind them of why God created human beings in the first place. People often use memory aids to stop them forgetting things, like notes left around the house or alerts on their phone. How do we remember God’s promises to us and ours to him? Simply by worshipping, praying, and hearing and meditating on his holy Word.
Mass today is in St Saviour’s at 10am.
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