When I was still outside the seminary, I found it very hard to enter into a romantic relationship. I took time to discern whether or not to court someone. God-fearing, intelligent, kind, and humble are the qualities I look for in an ideal wife. I always ensure that the lady I am courting possesses these qualities. To my mind, courting is a preparatory stage to getting married. This stage can be an opportunity for me to show my faithfulness and humility. Although being in a romantic relationship did not happen to me, and now that I embark on a new journey of pursuing a vocation to the priesthood, I understand that I also need to be faithful in my commitment and humble in my disposition as a formand. Seminary formation is the first stage of a series of formations to become a faithful and humble priest of God.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the importance of good and strong family bonds. No one can separate what God has joined together. God’s divine plan for marriage is that the husband and wife must live in unity, fidelity, and love to “become one flesh”. All of us are called to live out our vocation faithfully.

In heeding Jesus’ call, I must remember that I am entering into an eternal covenant with Him. In this covenant, I am called to be faithful in caring for and nourishing the gift of vocation that God has bestowed upon me. The Gospel also reminds me that I must model my behavior after that of a child. I must humbly surrender myself to His will, and let His loving arms embrace me as I resolve to follow Him.

By: Sem. Arjay A. Ligamzon

Today’s Gospel

Mk 10:2-16

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
“Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
“Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
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,
no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.