Category: Soulful Sundays

Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah Series: Chicken and Pig

Post author By areliscintron
Post date November 18, 2012
1 Comment on Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah Series: Chicken and Pig

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If you tuned in last Sunday, I discussed the announcement of a new series in Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah. Last Saturday I attended an RCIA Congress, where we discussed a program that helps adults seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. I had been reluctant to go that morning because it was early and I wasn’t sure what it was. However, once the morning started, and I finished listening to Father Ian, I was happy that I was there. He really had a way of putting things into perspective. Today I share with you the story of Chicken and Pig .

Chicken and Pig

On Sunday Morning, Chicken and Pig were discussing leaving the church for the day to walk around the neighborhood. On their walk, they came across a group of chicks. These chicks were very thin, lacking from a bath, but full of eager excitement to see Chicken and Pig.

Chicken pulled Pig aside and softly said, “Pig, I think we should make these hungry chicks some breakfast.”

Pig agreeing asked, “Well, what should we make?”

Chicken suggested, “How about we make them Eggs and Bacon?”

Pig smiled, “Well, it might take you a while to lay an egg, so why not chicken fajitas?”

Chicken smiled back with a wider grin, “Yes!”

Chicken and Pig left church that morning with the intention of following a path in Jesus’ footsteps. One of the things that we are to do as Catholics is to feed the hungry and give to the poor. It is one of the Fourteen works of mercy. They set out to do just that and had the chance to say WWJD when they came upon the small hungry chickens. Some are willing to give a little of themselves to do God’s work, like volunteering to cook breakfast. While others, commit themselves fully to doing God’s work, like being the breakfast. When Chicken suggested to Pig, lets make them Eggs and Bacon, Chicken would only have to give part of itself. Well, to make bacon, Pig would have to commit itself fully to the breakfast, would it not? Knowing this, Pig suggest that laying eggs might take too long if they were going to make them breakfast and suggested chicken fajitas, which requires no bacon at all. In this moment, Chicken decided to give its entire being to doing God’s work without hesitation. This is truly following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who died to save all of us.

When I first heard the story of Chicken and Pig, I saw that they needed to both give something of themselves to make the breakfast, but I honestly did not expect the explanation before Father Ian gave it. It is true in life in general, there are those who give their all and some just enough, its often referred to as the 80/20 rule. Where 20% of the people will do 100% of the work and the other 80% will either do nothing at all or just enough. In this life, right now, I cannot admit to being the Chicken but I am working on it. WWJD. What would Jesus do?

I’ll leave you with today’s second reading:

Heb 10: 11-14, 18 [Jesus in Glory]

Jesus, unlike the other priests, offered only one sacrifice for sin and took his place forever at God’s right hand. He has perfected those who are being sanctified.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

-The word of the Lord.

-Thanks be to God.

Let it marinate.

Until then,

*The story of Chicken and Pig has been modified slightly as I did not take exact notes of the story line.

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Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah

Post author By areliscintron
Post date November 12, 2012
18 Comments on Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah

It’s Soulful Sunday here on My Pocketful Of Thoughts and it is only right to take a moment and give thanks for all the great things going on in our lives right now. Let us also take this moment to recognize all the phenomenal men and women who have served our country. We have much to be thankful for, yes?

Friday night I was reminded of a conference for the RCIA Congress, I had to attend for Saturday morning at 8 am. The event had completely slipped my mind. I had made all these plans for Saturday morning and was thrown off a bit. I am that person who needs to plan everything out in order to feel at peace with day. I can handle changes but it takes a moment or two to adjust.

I woke up on Saturday morning, after a few hours of sleep, reluctant to start the day. I admit that I had to drag myself there. The day started with Mass, which I suggest if you do not do it now, start off your day with God. When the alarm goes off in the morning, take a minute or two to say Thank You for all the things in your life now, that you’re thankful for. Then there was a half hour-ish break to eat a pastry and a cup of coffee. This was my first time attending the RCIA Congress and I haven’t explained what it is yet because at that point of the morning I myself was not sure what it was. Have you ever been told you have to attending something that you’ve never heard of? Do you not have some reluctance? I do not like that about me, but I am human. So at this point I am thinking, Are we starting yet? I looked around the room and saw a little over 100 people in attendance and I began to feel bad for taking up three seats with myself and my stuff. :/

9:15 am we started with prayer and were introduced to the day. RCIA is an acronym that stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It outlines the steps for the formation for one to receive instruction about the Christian religion. It is the class I am teaching at my church. So, yes, this was a good reason to be at this event.

My reluctance of the event melted away with the first speaker, Father Ian Jeremiah. He captivated the audience with his stories of perspective on life and I could not stop taking notes. He was hilarious in his presentation but more importantly his words stayed with me. It is my wish to share them with you, not today but starting next week, My Pocketful of Thoughts will begin a short series titled Putting Life Into Perspective with Father Ian Jeremiah.

photo credit: Fr. Stephen, MSC via photopin cc

The one thing I will share with you today is that he reminded the group that we should take advantage of the Year of Faith. The Year of Faith, which began on October 11th and will run until November 24, 2013, is a year especially dedicated to the profession of the faith, through readings of the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. While this is something I have been doing for the past couple of years, it feels a little different this year because I am going to be teaching this to others. So no longer am I just taking it in, I have to also understand it and be able to explain it in a way that it is understood by others.

The more I learn the more I want to share it with you. I ask that you not be reluctant, like I was on Saturday morning, but that you be open and just take it in. For a long time I was having an inner war with myself, I could not understand why I was so unhappy and angry. I had so many things to be thankful for, but I never looked at it that way. I kept thinking to myself, ‘I’m here, doing so much to better myself and I don’t understand why all these bad things happen to me‘. It only seemed to bring more bad things. After a long absence from church, I started to go again. I sat quietly in the back pews and I just took it in. Then one day it clicked. It wasn’t right away. It was over a year of going to Mass every Sunday. When it clicked I decided I was ready to become Confirmed in the Catholic faith. I studied for one year with Sister Alta Gracia. So I want to share that with others, but especially you, that sometimes you have to just take it in. Perhaps you’ll read something that will compel you to do the same and share.

I’ll leave you today with today’s second reading.

Heb 9:24-28 [Christ’s Sacrifice for Sin]

Christ entered into heaven to appear before God, not for sacrifice again, but to take away sin by his sacrifice. Christ will not die again but he will come to bring about salvation for those who wait for him.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgement, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

-The word of the Lord.
–Thanks be to God.

Let it marinate.

Until then,

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Not Just Sundays…

Happy Sunday! I hope you remember to think of today as the start of your week and not the END of your weekend 🙂 Take the time today to think of all the great things that have happened this past week. Actually do it now. Close your eyes for 30 seconds and see what’s the first thing to come to mind. You only need that one thing to jump start an amazing week to come. Hold on to that feeling of gratitude, you’ll need it for tomorrow 🙂

One of the things I do on Sunday, to start the day off right, is to go to Church. If you’ve been following on Sundays, you know that we’ve been learning quite a bit. This week’s lesson is about Holy Days of Obligation.

When people asked me what I did for my birthday this past July, going to Church was the first thing I named. The rest of the day is a blur, minus the yummy meal I had with my boyfriend. Most responses I got were, Why Church? My birthday fell on a Friday. While it is true that Mass is celebrated on Sundays and it is the day to keep holy, it is not the only day Mass is held. Mass, for Catholics, is held every day. We learned last week in We Find the Defendant … that according to the laws of the Church, one ‘shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation and rest from servile labor.’

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This past Thursday was a Holy Day of Obligation. All Saints Day, which falls on November 1st, is a day to honor the saints known and unknown. A saint is someone who lives up to the example of Christ, through their holiness or sanctity of the religion. I have a book of over 200 saints, all became so because of their faith in Christ and died defending their belief.

All Saints Day is followed by All Souls Day on November 2nd. This day is a day to pray for the souls that have died. The way I understand it, it is a day to pray for souls that might be stuck in Purgatory. It is a way to help them get into Heaven.

Hurricane Sandy took out the power for a lot of people; Including my church, so Mass was not held on Thursday. I am not sure how that works out, if its a sin or not, since I didn’t go. I’ll have to inquire about that of course. Yesterday, though, I took a moment to think of all the people who gave their lives defending Christ. What could I do or not do, to live a life closer in His footsteps?

Even if you don’t go to Church or haven’t gone in a while, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your relationship with Him strong. I encourage you to have a conversation with Him daily, even if its just to say thanks for waking up in the morning. This can be your one thing of gratitude for today. I’ll leave you with one of today’s readings.

Heb 7:23-28 [Jesus the High Priest]

Jesus has a priesthood that will not pass away. He is a high priest holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and higher than the heavens. He offered one sacrifice for sin.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:

The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Let it marinate!

Until then,

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We find the defendant …

How are you on this Soulful Sunday? This week has proven itself to be a trying week. It has reminded me how lucky I am to have such great people in my life who support me and keep me sane. I want to take a second to say I am extremely grateful for my boyfriend, Danny for helping me with the renovation of my parent’s rental apartment. I truly believe that God works through this man. I hope that we all take a moment to be grateful for the people in our lives. Please don’t forget to tell them.

This past Friday during Youth Group we watched a video created by Outside Da Box called Evidence. It reminded me that being a Christian is so much more than going to church on Sundays or wearing a cross around my neck. Being a true follower of Christ means that we live by his example. Last week we chatted about what it means to have faith and a small part of what Catholics receive in Who’s watching you? Today we’ll talk about what we must do.

First we have the Ten Commandments. In the book of Exodus, in the Bible, Chapter 20 tells of us of Moses’ being given the ten commandments on Mount Sinai by God.

I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Honor your father and mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Next is the Five commandments of the Church.

You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

Lastly there are Fourteen works of mercy.

Spiritual:

Counsel the doubtful.
Instruct the ignorant.
Admonish sinners.
Comfort the afflicted.
Forgive offenses.
Bear wrongs patiently.
Pray for the living and the dead.

Corporal:

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Clothe the naked.
Shelter the homeless.
Visit the sick.
Visit the imprisoned.
Bury the dead.

Once upon a time, people were crucified and killed if they admitted to being followers of Jesus Christ. In some countries this still exists. I am fortunate to live in a country that has freedom of religion. Regardless of what religion you are, if you were brought into trial for being a believer in your faith, would you be convicted. This is what the video Evidence is about, a girl being put on trial for her belief. It is a video to evoke an emotion in you. To say that I am Catholic is one thing, but if someone observed me would I be found guilty? Today I am not looking to give convictions. I am not in charge of judgements. I only ask that you reflect upon what you say and do, and if you were in a trial what would the verdict be. We find the defendant __________.

I leave you with one of today’s readings to let it marinate for the rest of the week.

Jer 31: 7-9 [God’s Deliverance]

Jermiah’s hymn opens with joy for God has bestowed salvation on his people. He has delivered his people and will guide and bless them so none will go astray.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

Thus says the Lord:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:

The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north;
I will gather them from the ends of the world with the blind and the lame in their midst,
the mothers and those with children;
they shall return as an immense throng.

They departed with tears, but I will console them and guide them;
I will lead them to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall stumble.
For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my first-born.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Let it marinate!

Until then,

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Who’s watching you?

This week has been an interesting week. Last week’s topic, that I discussed with the kids in the catechism classes, went over what the Catholic faith believes, who we believe in, why we believe, and where we get our information from. These are topics that I will discuss in the future. Today I would like to talk about why we believe. If you tuned in last week, I also touched upon this topic, but after a week of people asking this question, Why do you believe?; I felt compelled to pose this question, Who’s watching you?

In the year 2012, if one is questioned on their beliefs, a conversation amongst a group can be done peacefully and respectfully. Everyone has a variation on their belief. I like and appreciate that we can do this. We are not persecuted for our beliefs. We are not ridiculed for our beliefs. We can believe in whatever we wish for we have Freedom of Religion.

As individuals we support our religion because we have faith. What is faith?

Definition of FAITH according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty

b (1) : fidelity to one’s promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

— on faith

: without question [took everything he said on faith]

What phrases stand out to you? The phrases that stand out to me are “firm belief in something for which there is no proof … complete trust and …without question.

The same can be said for someone without faith, or someone who questions their faith. Does their faith exist? According to the definition, no. A person without faith, a person who does not believe, can not be faithful.

Regardless of whether or not you believe in a religion, it can not be denied that people are watching you. Our friends reflect upon our actions and our beliefs every day. Our children look up to us. People watch us. What are we showing them?

Those closest to me know, that over the last five years, I have embraced my faith. It is not that my faith was lacking before, but I hadn’t done a good job of walking the Christian path. I was in a state of being. Over time I realized that just being was not taking my life in the direction I envisioned or wished for myself. It was not until I decided to partake in the sacrament of Reconciliation that my path changed course.

In the Catholic faith, there are seven Sacraments. The sacrament of Reconciliation is also referred to as Penance. One reviews their prior actions in reflection against the ten commandments. If your actions go against God, they are referred to as sins. This reflection period is a time to acknowledge what you have done to go against God in your actions. These sins are confessed to a priest. The priest will offer guidance and direction on your actions. The priest will then ask if one is sorry for sinning against God. If you are, then one’s sins are forgiven by absolution which can only be given by an authorized priest.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, one receive God’s unconditional forgiveness. I found that during this process I have also strengthened my ability to forgive myself. I had never forgiven myself in the past. This for me was huge. In life we are hardest on ourselves.

If I forgive myself and acknowledge my sins and try my hardest to sin no more, I find it much easier and more likely to make choices that keep me in line with God’s law. I find it easier to want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. WWJD? You might have seen this a number of times, it stands for What would Jesus do? I find I use this phrase when I am trying to make a decision on something difficult. I ask this question because my actions are watched by God.

God is watching. Whether or not you believe in that statement, it does not change the fact that someone is watching you. Somewhere down the line, your actions may impact someone you know…and someone you might never meet. How can I impact someone I have never met? I’m happy that you asked. The Skit Guys will help us out with this.

Do you know who is watching you? On this Soulful Sunday, I leave you with this thought to marinate this week along with one of today’s readings. Heb 4:14-16 [Jesus Our High Priest] Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the high priest who shares all our weaknesses, except sin. His mercy comes to all who seek it. A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and Sisters,
Since we have a great priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

-The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

Until then,

photo credit: Lawrence OP via photopin cc

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Our hardships are our lessons to share with others

Post author By areliscintron
Post date October 14, 2012
7 Comments on Our hardships are our lessons to share with others

When I was in high school I was very aware of the many invisible things that could effect a teenager. There were days that I felt I was just going through the motions, but I had hope that one day things would be, different. I was extremely fortunate that I had great friends to distract me. However, I was great at hiding the things that ailed me. I can recall clearly one day in AP History, my teacher asking me if I was OK, that he’d noticed I was looking fragile. I admitted that I had lost weight but I blamed it on my busy schedule, you know all the extra running around. I learned to smile, even though sometimes I wanted to cry. I had broken my relationship with God when my grandparents passed away within months of each other. I questioned how a mighty God could take away our loved ones and put us through trying times. One of the things that also helped was a journal with a good and old friend of mine that shared a similar way of life. You think you’re alone but if you’re lucky you find out you’re not.

I’m reminiscent today because of Daphine Glenn Robinson’s short story, Invisible Girl: The Suicide Journal. Melissa, the owner of the journal, has a different story than mine. We’re both familiar with the screaming, the slamming, the occasional scene of violence and the uncontrollable tears. As I began reading, I had to put it down several times. Its hard, when you think you’ve forgotten a memory, to only hear or read something that brings it rushing back. Once I reminded myself of where I was now, no where near where I was at 15, I couldn’t put the book down. Her story unfolds quickly, and you feel like you’re right there with her. Pleading with her to have faith. Faith that things do get better. But more importantly, faith in God. He never gives us anything we cannot handle. Our hardships are our lessons to share with others. This is what Invisible Girl does.

If I didn’t have that friend in high school, to journal back and forth with, to share my woes; I wish I had read this book then. Out of all the hundreds of books I read in my youth as a child, I wish I had it to read then. Unfortunately the topics of this book are not the casual topics you’d bring up at a party or at the cafeteria table. The topics are raw and leave you feeling unnerved. Nonetheless it is a topic that should be discussed, must be discussed, because it is real. Somewhere someone is experiencing it right now.

These past few weeks I have been teaching Catechism. If we do not see something, does it exist? Yes. This is what we call faith. We believe because of faith. “We can know God in a much deeper way by means of faith. In a much deeper way because in this instance it is God himself who tells us who he is, what he has done, what he has given us, what he promises, what he teaches, what pleases him, what he wants from us. … Through faith God revels himself, allows himself to be known, and manifests himself. Furthermore, God does this because he wants to and because he loves us. God speaks to us in order to tell us what he is like and to tell us how we should be; and since he speaks to us, he tells us his Word, the Word of God.”…Carlos Miguel Buela, Catechism for Youth.

I ask you on this Soulful Sunday to be mindful of your friends. Sometimes they might be going through an ordeal they can’t speak of, either out of fear or because its not something you bring up in casual conversation. All you can do is make sure they know that you are there for them, that you love them and that God loves them to.

The Word of God, yes, on that note I leave you a reading from today’s Holy Mass to let it marinate the rest of the week.

Heb 4: 12-13 [God’s Living Word]

God’s word is penetrating and sharp. Nothing is hidden from God, and all must render an account to him.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and Sisters:

Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to who we must render an account.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Let it marinate!

Until then,

PS: To find out more works of Daphine please visit her:

Daphine Glenn Robinson

Author, Freelance Writer

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Do you often think about doing something for others?

Post author By areliscintron
Post date October 7, 2012
11 Comments on Do you often think about doing something for others?

Last Friday I was pumped up and excited for an upcoming blood drive. After having a conversation with my sister, A, who had been leaving work a little early one night to head over to a blood drive, I thought that despite the fact that I hate seeing blood AND needles, I could suck it up and donate. It had been something she had wanted to do for a long time but because of her weight they would not allow her to. Now at an older age she is of weight and donates regularly. I think that is AWEsome. I always hear about shortages and not enough people donating. Last Friday night my phone set off a reminder alarm that at 7:45 am on Saturday, September 30th the blood drive in Bridgeport would commence. I talked myself out of it. I mean it IS blood AND needles!

A short time later that night I was told by my other sister, J’s mother-in-law, dropped unconscious in her home and was later rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital. She had suffered an aneurism. She had been lucky for if they had waiting any longer to call an ambulance she might have been dead on arrival. I have only heard of people having aneurism’s on T.V.; That is not to say of course that it does not happen but that I have never known anyone personally to have suffered from one. On T.V. though, the person seems to always die. On Saturday I was told she needed blood. I prayed.

On Saturday night I got a text to pray for a family friend, I was given no specifics but was told I’d learn more the next day. Last Sunday morning a beautiful soul still lied in bed with unknown reasons as to why she was losing blood and seizing. She needed a blood transfusion. I prayed.

October 1st I received news that my family friend returned home and was doing well. The blood transfusion helped. Prayers were heard and answered. A beautiful soul remains on this earth to do wondrous deeds.

My sister’s mother-in-law is still in the hospital. After some testing she was found to have another aneurism and would require immediate surgery. I have heard news this morning that she is responsive. It has been a scary week for her and her family.

I ask that everyone take a minute to say a prayer to St. Jude for a miraculous recovery. Who is St. Jude you ask? St. Jude Thaddeus is the patron saint of hope. We turn to St. Jude in times of need and for serious or seemingly hopeless causes — including depression, grieving, unemployment, and illness — and ask for his divine intercession.

O Holy St Jude!
Apostle and Martyr,
great in virtue and rich in miracles,
near kinsman of Jesus Christ,
faithful intercessor for all who invoke you,
special patron in time of need;
to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart,
and humbly beg you,
to whom God has given such great power,
to come to my assistance;
help me now in my urgent need and grant my earnest petition.
I will never forget thy graces and favors you obtain for me
and I will do my utmost to spread devotion to you.

Amen.

St. Jude, pray for us and all who honor thee and invoke thy aid.

I prayed for them as I know you might pray or say a few words for someone you care about who is not well. Prayer is a powerful thing! So is donating blood. The tag line for the American Red Cross says “” I learned this week how true that is. My heart also weighed heavy as I had decided my fear was greater than the need to go and donate blood. I went on the American Red Cross website this morning in search of their next drive. You can do the same by stopping at their website and searching for upcoming blood drives in your area by simply typing in your zip code. http://www.redcrossblood.org There is one tomorrow that is not too far from my house, I’m hoping when I call tomorrow morning I am able to get an appointment. Wish me luck.

Until then,

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PS I did not forget about sending out the Word today, I thought I’d save the best for last!

Gn 2:18-24 [Man’s Companion]

God, knowing that man needs companionship, created animals and birds and finally placed Adam in a deep sleep and took one of his ribs, forming a woman.

A reading from the Book of Genesis

The LORD God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said:

“This one, at last, is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

this one shall be called ‘woman,’

for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.