First Reading (Eccl 6,5-17).
Reading of the Book of Ecclesiasticus.
A kind word multiplies friends and calms enemies; an affable tongue multiplies greetings. Let those who greet you be numerous, but your counselors be one among a thousand. If you want to acquire a friend, acquire him through trial; and do not rush to trust him. For there is a casual friend who does not persevere in the day of trouble. There is a friend who turns to enmity, and who reveals disagreements to shame you. There is a friend who is a table companion and who does not persevere in the day of need. When you succeed, he will be your equal and, without ceremony, will give orders to your servants. But if you are humiliated, he will be against you and will hide from your presence. Stay away from your enemies and be careful with your friends. A faithful friend is powerful protection: whoever found him found a treasure. Nothing compares to a faithful friend, he is an invaluable asset. A faithful friend is a balm of life; those who fear the Lord will meet him. He who fears the Lord conducts his friendship well: as he is, so will be his friend.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mark 10,1-12).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus went to the territory of Judea, on the other side of the Jordan River. The crowds gathered again around Jesus. And he, as usual, taught them. Some Pharisees approached Jesus. To put him to the test, they asked whether it was permissible for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus asked, “What did Moses command you?” The Pharisees replied: “Moses permitted to write a certificate of divorce and fire her.” Jesus then said, “It was because of the hardness of your heart that Moses wrote this commandment to you. However, from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore, a man will leave his father and his mother and both they will be one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man put asunder!” At home, the disciples asked questions again on the same subject. Jesus replied, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My brothers and sisters, the peace of the Lord be with you! Today we are invited to reflect on the deep meaning of our relationships, especially the bonds of friendship and marriage, as sources of spiritual growth and community life.
Let us begin with a reflection on the first reading, from the book of Ecclesiasticus, which presents us with great wisdom about friendships: “Speak to a friend when you need him, and, in the moment of need, he will also show himself.” This word teaches us that true friendship is not the one that appears only at party times or in easy situations. True friendship is the one that grows stronger in difficulties, in adversity, in moments of fall and doubt.
Imagine, for a moment, a bridge. A bridge is built to cross obstacles, to go from one side of an abyss, a turbulent river, or an inhospitable region to the other. True friendship, like the bridge, is not afraid of obstacles; it is resistant, firm and safe, always ready to support and sustain. The book of Ecclesiasticus reminds us that we must value these friendships, care for them and cultivate them, as they are like a treasure in times of difficulty. “A friend near you is better than a thousand distant relatives.”
In our daily lives, we have many relationships, but it is essential that we have at least one true friend, one who knows our weaknesses, our struggles, our fears, but who does not abandon us. This true friend is the one who, in his sincerity and love, calls us to the truth, gives us the courage to grow and be better every day. Sometimes friendship also requires courage, because a true friend will not let us sink into lies or illusions, but will help us find the path of truth and light.
True friendship is a gift from God, but it is also an invitation to a life of humility. As the author of Ecclesiasticus teaches us, a friend becomes like a mirror of our soul. In their words and attitudes, we see our own values reflected, our inner truth. And the more honest and sincere we are in our friendships, the more we will reflect the image of Christ in our lives.
Now, my brothers, as we move on to Mark’s gospel, we are called to reflect on marriage, which is also a sublime form of friendship. Jesus teaches us that marriage is not just a legal or social issue, but a profound union, which must be lived with love, respect and fidelity. He says, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”
In contemporary culture, marriage is often seen as a contract that can be broken when difficulties arise. But the Christian vision shows us that marriage is a sacred bond, created by God, where love is the basis, and fidelity is the force that maintains the union. Mark’s gospel brings a very clear warning: “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” These words of Jesus remind us that marriage is a deep and irrevocable partnership, where both spouses must support each other, grow together and, above all, love each other as Christ loved the Church.
Let’s reflect on the depth of this image of love in marriage. Christ’s love for the Church is sacrificial and unconditional. He was not content to give just a part of Himself, but He gave His entire life. Likewise, in marriage, spouses are called to love sacrificially, to put the needs of the other before their own. This does not mean that they forget themselves, but that, in union with their spouse, they become one flesh, one heart.
This also leads us to think about the great value of loyalty and trust. It is not just an external commitment, but a deep and inner commitment, which goes beyond words and promises, and translates into concrete actions of love, care and respect. It is a love that requires patience, forgiveness and, above all, the ability to walk together through adversity.
It is interesting to note that, in the gospel, when Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees about the possibility of divorce, He not only responds with a legal truth, but invites us to look at the divine ideal: “From the beginning of creation, God made them man and woman. Therefore, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become two in one flesh.” Here, Jesus is not just defending a rule, but an ideal of harmony, unity and unbreakable love, something that goes beyond simple observance of norms, and reflects the very heart of God.
How can we apply this message to our everyday lives? First of all, we need to remember the importance of marriage, or marital relationships, as a partnership in Christ. Christian love in marriage is more than just a feeling; it is a commitment to be the presence of Christ to one another, offering not only our best selves, but also our deepest selves: our willingness to sacrifice, forgive, support, and, above all, remain faithful.
Perhaps some of us are experiencing difficulties in our marriages or broader relationships. If this is the case, today’s message is an invitation to renewal, to forgiveness, to reconciliation. We must remember that love is a path of transformation. When we sincerely seek to live the love that Christ teaches us, He gives us the grace to overcome all difficulties.
For those who are single or not married, this reflection does not only apply to marital relationships, but to all of our relationships. We must cultivate true friendship, which is the basis of all other forms of love. Friendship is the ground where we learn to be generous, to listen, to support, to be present, and, above all, to live Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Now, I invite each of you to reflect: what kind of friend are you? What kind of spouse do you want to be? How can we, together, build deeper, more authentic and more supportive relationships, based on the truth and love of Christ?
I invite you to also think about how your relationship with God can be the foundation of all your relationships. He is the faithful Friend, the one who never abandons us, the one who loves us unconditionally. Let us let Him guide our lives, and let us be instruments of His love and His peace in all our relationships.
Let’s pray together:
Lord God, we thank You for the wisdom given to us in Your Scriptures. Help us to experience true love in our friendships, and especially in our marriages. May we be faithful to one another, just as You are faithful to us. Give us the grace to be sincere friends, dedicated companions, and witnesses of Your love in the world. Lord, strengthen us so that we can always live in union with Your heart. In the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.
May God bless you all, and may we live this transformative love in all areas of our lives. May the peace of Christ be with you!
