It is 14th August 2015. We celebrate the memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr. The readings are from Josh.24:1-13 and the Gospel from Mt.19:3-12. The first reading presents the mighty deeds of the Lord. It is not the power and intelligence of Israelites to enjoy the Promised Land but rather it is the power of God. “This was not the work of your sword or your bow. I gave you a land where you never toiled, you lived in towns you never built; you eat now from vineyards and olive groves you never planted.” (Josh: 24:13). We are enjoying today so many things because of God who cares for us and loves us. God not only proves God’s care through God’s words but also through the deeds God performs in our lives. Joshua relates the events of the salvation history to the people what God has done for them. It is our duty to share with someone today what God has done for us personally, as a family and as a community of God. The responsorial Psalm responds, “His mercy endures forever.” (Ps.136:1). The Gospel brings out the purpose of the marriage. God wants human beings to cooperate with God in salvific plan of creating families. “Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” (Mt.19:6). For a valid sacramental marriage, we need three people: a man, a woman and God. It is God who unites them with their intentions. The fruit of this union is child. If there is no purpose of having children involved, there is no sacramental marriage possible. Love between the couples must generate life. The purpose of the Creator intended in the couples to have an intimate union of life. The Church does not give divorce because it contradicts the purpose and the intention of the Creator. The Sacrament of Matrimony is sacred and a permanent union. May the Lord bless our families. Have a peaceful day.