Friday of Week 19 in Ordinary Time
Jos 24:1-13
Mt 19:3-12
“…the creator from the beginning made them male and female…a man must leave father and mother and cling to his wife. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body…what God has united, man must not divide.”
Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is short, but it packs a lot of weight. Especially for today’s societal climate.
The divorce rate around the world has been increasing steadily and lines between genders have become increasingly blurred. It is no longer simply male and female. According to the internet, there are 7 genders and 72 gender identities. Confusing, no?
In his work, Theology of the Body, the 129 catechetical addresses that Pope John Paul II made, he spoke about the body of the human person, the dignity and the gift of the body. It is a great philosophical and theological work, and it is beyond the scope of this simple reflection. I invite you to read it and ponder over it, perhaps in small bites and with some guidance as well.
There are several points that would relate well to the Gospel reading today. What is marriage but an expression of love. What is love but willing the good of others as others. Love is not self-serving but self-giving. Love is not selfishly seeking his or her own pleasures or advantages. Love is not conditional.
Imagine when you make your wedding vows like this: ‘I will love you only if you remain looking beautiful, I will love you only if you lavish gifts on me. I will love you only if you make me feel good or look good. I will love you only if you do everything I ask and agree with me 100% of the time’. How ridiculous would that be?
In Theology of the Body, Saint John Paul II spoke of the human body as a person who is made in the image of the Triune God, who is perfectly united in love. Hence man and woman are made to love in intimate communion, reflecting the inner life of the trinity, where there is no isolation, nor self-seeking but only self-giving.
The human body of a person is not only physical, but it has spiritual and divine aspects, as it is made in the image and likeness of God. Recall a human person had body and soul. Therefore, it is a gift. A gift to be received and given spiritually, and in union between man and woman. To put it bluntly, sex is not just sex. It is not merely a physical union, but a much deeper union spiritually. It should not be used for self-pleasure or uncontrolled desires, but for deepening personal union between spouses, and thereby giving of oneself.
In today’s secular world, this type of thinking or belief may seem old fashioned and prudish. I am sure that I have not done justice to the Theology of the Body here, as I am not a theologian. However, I do recognize that Saint John Paul II’s catechetical addresses are in line with Jesus’ teachings. Brothers and sisters, I don’t know about you, but I do believe that our Lord is never wrong.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes Your teachings are beyond our grasp and seem really difficult, but grant us the grace to listen to Your voice and understand the wisdom You are imparting to us.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your abundant love and infinite mercy. May we learn to love selflessly and practice self-giving love.
OXYGEN 
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