27th Sunday of the Year, B – October 3, 2021.
Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Ps 127:1-5; Hebrews 2:9-11 & Gospel – Mark 10:2-16.
Theme: A Red Card to Divorce!
Sunday Synopsis
Today’s first reading presents God as the ultimate scientist who creates human beings. The second reading reveals that we are God’s stock. In the gospel text, some Pharisees who stood on the side of the law put Jesus to the test by asking his opinion concerning divorce. Jesus turns the discussion into the original plan of marriage in God’s plan by condemning divorce. Our liturgy challenges Catholic couples to be guided by the essential properties of marriage, unity and indissolubility (Cf. CIC, can. 1056; CCEO, can. 776 §3) as well as the two ends of holy matrimony namely, the procreation and education of children, and the union of the spouses.
Introduction
Beloved in the Lord, the focus of our liturgy this Sunday is on the beauty of Christian marriage. Our readings take us back to the original plan of God for man to enjoy a permanent relationship in marriage which is open to offspring for the perpetuation of the human race. Our reflection titled “A Red Card to Divorce” argues in favour of equality of man and women before God, redirects our attention to God’s manual for Christian marriage as laid out by Christ in the gospel.
Background & Summary of the Readings
Today’s first reading (Genesis 2:18-24) presents God as the ultimate scientist who creates human beings. It recounts how the Garden of Eden became a laboratory where God acts as an anesthesiologist who causes the man to fall asleep after which he acts like a surgeon by removing one of the man’s ribs to enclose it with flesh. Like a potter, he “moulds” a woman and like a matchmaker, presents her to the man who exclaimed romantically and poetically: “This at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh! This is to be called woman, for this was taken from man.” He surmised: “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body.”
In the second reading (Heb. 2:9-11), God calls us his brothers. It particularly notes that Christ endured his passion so as to bring us into the perfection of his sons and daughters in glory. The text reveals our union in Christ by stating that “the one who sanctifies and the one who are sanctified, are of the same stock.”
In the gospel text (Mark 10:2-16), some Pharisees who stood on the side of the law put Jesus to the test by asking his opinion concerning divorce. In responding to them, Jesus turns the discussion into the original plan of marriage in God’s plan. He also showed them how they manipulated the scripture and interpretative tradition to question their claim. After all, the Old Testament also condemned divorce (Cf. Malachi 2:13-16 & Genesis 2:24).
Pastoral Lessons
1. Resist the Killers of Marriage: Because our first reading teaches that marriage is ordained by God, couples are encouraged to watch out for the killers of marriage such as single parenthood, the phenomenon of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ), over indulgence in technology, increasing rate of divorce, childlessness and infidelity.
2. Raise godly Kids: The message of the second reading that we are from God’s stock (brothers and sisters of Jesus) suggests that children are a gift from God which implies that parents must ensure that they raise godly kids according to the teaching of the Church as regards faith and morals.
3. Be Guided by the Properties and Ends of Marriage: The gospel urges Catholic couples to be guided by the essential properties of marriage that is, unity and indissolubility (Cf. CIC, can. 1056; CCEO, can. 776 §3) as well as the two ends of holy matrimony namely, the procreation and education of children, and the union of the spouses.
4. Protect the Values of the Family: As a Church, we are encouraged to protect the values of the family as outlined by Pope Saint John Paul II in Familiaris Consortio, (1981, No.17) that is, forming a community of persons, serving life, participating in the development of society and sharing in the life and mission of the Church.
5. Relish Marital Bliss: Those who are married are urged to model their marriages after the union between Christ and his Church even as they relish conjugal bliss amidst much love and lasting fidelity.
Summary Lines
1. Today’s first reading presents God as the ultimate scientist who creates human beings.
2. In the second reading (Heb. 2:9-11), God calls us his brothers.
3. The text reveals our union in Christ by stating that “the one who sanctifies and the one who are sanctified, are of the same stock.”
4. In the gospel text, some Pharisees who stood on the side of the law put Jesus to the test by asking his opinion concerning divorce.
5. Jesus turns the discussion into the original plan of marriage in God’s plan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we are challenged to cherish the marriage institution and ensure its survival in our age. We are encouraged to pray for those who are not enjoying their marriages as a result of lack of children and other challenges in life, that through the celebration of this Holy Mass, God would make them smile again by giving them children and taking away their troubles. It behooves couples to form a community of persons, serve life, participate in the development of society and share in the life and mission of the Church. Happy Sunday!
