ST MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, MEMORIAL, FRIDAY OF THE NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 14, 2026

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Matthew 19:3-12

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." 

REFLECTION

"Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate."

The Pharisees questioned Jesus about marriage and divorce. After all, Moses allowed it. His answer was that marriage was never meant to be a temporary arrangement but a lifelong covenant built upon faithful sacrificial love.

St Maximilian Kolbe believed that authentic love always requires self sacrifice. The words, "I love you" if not followed through with a willingness to give completely, are meaningless. He was greatly devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wished to imitate her surrender to God.

Given the opportunity he volunteered to take the place of a husband and father who had been selected to die because prisoners had escaped. The man pleaded that he had a young wife and family. St Maximilian Kolbe stepped up to take his place.

One man was a priest married to the Church and spiritual father to the people and the other a married man with family. What is your vocation? Not everyone is called to be a religious or priest and not everyone is called to the married life. However, in whatever vocation we find ourselves living, are we willing to give ourselves in love generously, faithfully and without reservation?

  "Let us remember that love lives through sacrifice and is nourished by giving.

Without sacrifice, there is no love."

St Maximilian Kolbe

God Bless You