Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 21 May 2027

5 A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.

6 Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.

7 If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.

8 For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

9 And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.

10 And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.

11 A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.

12 If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.

13 Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

14 A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.

15 Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.

16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.

17 He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.

R. (35a) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

16 I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

18 Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

34 Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

35 Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired.

R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

17b, 17a Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 And rising up from thence, he cometh into the coasts of Judea beyond the Jordan: and the multitudes flock to him again. And as he was accustomed, he taught them again.

2 And the Pharisees coming to him asked him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

3 But he answering, saith to them: What did Moses command you?

4 Who said: Moses permitted to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away.

5 To whom Jesus answering, said: Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you that precept.

6 But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.

7 For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother; and shall cleave to his wife.

8 And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh.

9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10 And in the house again his disciples asked him concerning the same thing.

11 And he saith to them: Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12 And if the wife shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Scripture places faithful friendship beside the call to remain faithful to God’s commands. A true friend is described as a treasure, a strong defence, and a medicine of life; such fidelity reflects the steadfastness God desires in every covenant of love. The psalm gives us the humble prayer needed for this kind of life: “Guide me, Lord,” open my eyes, give me understanding, and lead me in the path of your commandments.

Jesus speaks especially of marriage, returning to God’s intention that husband and wife become one flesh. He acknowledges that Moses’ concession arose because of hardness of heart, then points beyond that hardness to the Creator’s design. His words are demanding because love is more than an arrangement maintained while it is convenient. It requires a heart formed by truth, patience, and perseverance. The word of God consecrates us in that truth, softening what has become rigid and teaching us to honor the bonds entrusted to us. In friendship, marriage, family, and discipleship, we can ask for the grace to be dependable, to receive correction, and to remain faithful when love requires sacrifice.

Lord God, your word is truth and your commands are a path of life. Open my eyes to recognize the love and fidelity you ask of me. Soften every hardness in my heart, and teach me to keep faith with those entrusted to my care. Bless marriages with patience, honesty, and steadfast love. Make me a faithful friend, ready to remain present in times of trouble and willing to receive wise counsel. Through your grace, may my relationships reflect your covenant faithfulness and lead others closer to you. Amen.