Just omit those words...

From “General Introduction to the Lectionary”:

“In readings for Sundays and solemnities, texts that present real difficulties are avoided for pastoral reasons. The difficulties may be objective, in that the texts themselves raise profound literary, critical, or exegetical problems; or the difficulties may lie, at least to a certain extent, in the ability of the faithful to understand the texts.”

Might I suggest we change John 4:18 to allow for this:

“The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is [not] your husband.”

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*Words in brackets may be omitted for a shorter reading.

I kid! I kid!