The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel
Matthew 19:3-12
‘Because of hardness of heart Moses allowed wives to be divorced, but from the beginning it was not so..’

At that time: Pharisees came up to Jesus and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?’ He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no one separate.’ They said to him, ‘Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.’
The disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But he said to them, ‘Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.’

Gospel
Matthew 18:21-19:1
‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.’

At that time: Peter came up and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
‘Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, “Pay what you owe.” So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.’
Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Gospel
Matthew 18:15-20
‘If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.’

Today the Church celebrates Saint Clare of Assisi, one of the first followers of Saint Francis and foundress of the community that would become known as the Poor Clares.

Born in Assisi in 1193 or 1194 into a wealthy family, Clare was deeply moved by the preaching and example of Saint Francis of Assisi and his radical commitment to living the Gospel.

At around the age of 18, Clare secretly left her family home and travelled to the small chapel of the Portiuncula, where Francis and his brothers received her. There, her hair was cut and she exchanged her fine clothes for a simple religious habit, beginning a new life dedicated entirely to Christ.

Despite strong opposition from her family, Clare remained steadfast. Her younger sister Agnes soon joined her, followed by other women. Their community settled at San Damiano, outside Assisi, where they embraced a life centred on prayer, fraternity, service and Gospel poverty.

Clare became abbess of the community and remained so until her death. She cared particularly for her sick sisters and, despite suffering serious illness herself for many years, continued to guide the growing community.

Like Francis, Clare believed that following Christ meant placing complete trust in God. She worked throughout her life to preserve her community’s commitment to poverty. Shortly before her death, Pope Innocent IV approved her Rule, the first Rule written by a woman for a community of women to receive papal approval.

A famous tradition recalls that when San Damiano was threatened by attackers, Clare placed her trust in Christ and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament for the protection of her sisters. The attackers withdrew.

Saint Clare died on 11 August 1253 and was canonised just two years later by Pope Alexander IV.

Her life continues to remind us that our greatest treasure is found not in possessions, but in giving ourselves completely to Christ.

🙏 Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, one of the most greatly venerated martyrs of the early Church.

Saint Lawrence served as one of the seven deacons of Rome under Pope Saint Sixtus II during the third century. As a deacon, Lawrence had particular responsibility for the Church’s material goods and for the care of the poor and those in need.

In the year 258, the Emperor Valerian ordered a persecution of the Church. Pope Sixtus II was arrested and martyred on 6 August. Just four days later, on 10 August, Lawrence also suffered martyrdom for his faith in Christ.

His witness made such a profound impression upon the early Christians that devotion to him spread rapidly throughout the Church.

One of the most famous traditions surrounding Saint Lawrence concerns the treasures of the Church. It is said that the Roman authorities, believing the Church possessed great material wealth, ordered Lawrence to surrender its treasures.

Lawrence asked for time to gather them.

Instead of presenting gold or silver, he gathered together the poor and those who depended upon the Church for help. Presenting them to the Roman authorities, Lawrence declared that these were the true treasures of the Church.

Tradition also holds that Lawrence was martyred by being burned upon a gridiron. While the precise circumstances of his death cannot be established with certainty, his martyrdom itself and the ancient devotion to him are firmly rooted in the life of the early Church.

A basilica was later built over his tomb in Rome, and San Lorenzo fuori le Mura – the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls – remains one of Rome’s great pilgrimage churches.

Saint Lawrence reminds us that the true riches of the Church are not found in possessions, but in Christ and in those whom He calls us to love and serve – particularly the poor, the vulnerable and those most in need.

May his courage strengthen us to remain faithful to Christ and his example inspire us to recognise and serve Christ in one another.

🙏 Saint Lawrence, pray for us.