August 14, 2020
Friday for the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr—Memorial
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“Una never read say from the beginning, the Creator make dem man and woman, and talk say, Na because of this, man go leave im papa and mama, join with im wife, and the two go become one flesh? So dem no be two again, but one flesh.” Matthew 19:4-6a
Wetin be marriage? From when dem still young, men and women dey feel something wey dey draw dem to each other. To feel this kind thing na part of human nature. Yes, sometimes this thing wey dey “draw” dem to each other fit spoil come turn to lust, but e dey important to point out say this natural attraction na wetin e be…something natural. “From the beginning, the Creator make dem man and woman…” So, from the beginning, God don intend the holy unity wey dey for marriage.
Marriage na real mystery. Yes, husbands fit think say their wives na “mystery,” and wives fit think the same thing about their husbands, but the truth be say each person na holy mystery, and the way two people dey become one for marriage na even greater mystery.
Since na mystery, person must dey open and humble as e dey relate with im husband or wife and as e dey live im marriage, with mind wey dey talk say, “I want know you more each and every day.” Husband or wife wey dey face marriage with the mind say na only im dey righteous go always dey look down on the other person, and e no go ever respect the holy mystery wey the other person be.
Each person wey you come know, especially your husband or wife, na beautiful and glorious mystery wey God create. God no call you to “solve” this person like problem, but to know and relate with am more deeply each and every day. Humility must always dey, so that husband and wife go fit dey open to each other for new way every day, and continue to discover deeper beauty for each other. Na this humility and respect for each other inside marriage dey help husband and wife fulfil the mission wey dem share: to become one. Think about am: “dem no be two again, but one flesh.” Na very few people really understand wetin this one mean, and the people wey dey live out the deep beauty of this glorious and high calling of marriage even fewer.
Today, reflect on the mystery of the people wey God call you to love, especially if you don marry. To call the other person “mystery” fit first make you smile, as you admit say you no fit fully understand am. But when you humbly recognise the beautiful meaning of “mystery,” e go help you value wetin make each person different, and help you accept the call for people to become one, especially inside marriage.
Lord, help me see the beauty and holy mystery of the people wey You don put for my life. Help me love dem with humble love. Make my love for my husband or wife especially dey grow deeper each and every day. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of Today – Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
Image: Le mariage. wey Giulio Rosati do
