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Gospel Reading for August 14, 2026 – Matthew 19: 3-12
WORK OF LOVE
Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 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, man must not separate.” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”
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As Jesus explained, marriage is not for everyone, because it is a lifelong journey in which two persons, raised differently and coming from different families, are brought together by God in Holy Matrimony and become ONE.
In this sacrament, the couple is showered with all the graces they need to make their union a beautiful WORK OF LOVE designed by God—a union in which they live under one roof, remain faithful to one another, support and care for one another, and honor each other’s dignity. In this sacred relationship, they strive not to allow their differences to separate them, but rather to adjust to one another, so that they may truly become ONE.
Through constant communication, they gradually develop a language all their own, where disagreements can lead to understanding and, ultimately, to agreement. If they are blessed with children, who are the fruit of their union, they are given the precious opportunity to serve the world by raising them according to God’s will.
There are countless experiences that unfold within this sacred union, which is why LOVE is essential for it to flourish and endure. St. Paul’s beautiful description of LOVE in 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 expresses this truth perfectly. As the saying goes, LOVE conquers all.
Some sectors are advocating for the legalization of divorce in the Philippines, a nation that is home to the largest Christian population in Asia. From a Christian perspective, the legalization of divorce raises serious concerns because it is difficult to reconcile with the Christian understanding of marriage as a sacred and lifelong covenant before God.
Lord Jesus, help us to be faithful to the vows we make, whatever our state of life may be. Amen.
