In today’s Scripture, we hear about God‘s plan of unity. We hear about God blessing the unity and union between man and woman as they become husband and wife. And then Jesus very specifically talks about union with God in terms of relationship as child to parent.
There are certain relationships that are supposed to help us in life. These relationships help us be better. These relationships help us live as God intends us to live. One of these relationships is that of marriage. Marriage as it should be. Marriage intended by God to be a blessing to the man and the woman as husband and wife. In union with each other, they support and love each other in a way that draws them closer not only to one another – but to God. As they know their love for each other they better understand the love of God. Their relationship is to be a reflection of God‘s love.
That’s God‘s plan. This relationship called marriage can be a wonderful gift and blessing to us.
This is reflected in the words from the book of Genesis and also words from the mouth of Jesus in today’s Gospel. Today we hear Jesus present another relationship that will help us to be in union with God. That is one of child to parent. Jesus tells us we must except the kingdom of God as a little child. What does this mean? It means that we are dependent upon the parent. In this case – God. We acknowledge that God knows better than we do what is good for us. We acknowledge that God knows more than we do. In the end we are called to trust God. We are called in this relationship to allow God’s will for us to be the guiding principle, as opposed to our limited passions and understandings. What we are called to do is to align our passions and understanding to the will of God. We are called to try and understand the will of God through prayer, through Scripture, through the teachings of our Church. As a child would, we allow ourselves to be taught, directed, and guided. We acknowledge that we do not know everything. To say it quite bluntly, we acknowledge that there is a reality greater than ourselves.
This is not about power, control, or dominance. It is about trust and care. We are called to trust that God will care for us. Jesus teaches us to pray and says that we are invited to call God “Our Father”. This is a powerful statement of relationship. This approach towards our relationship with God helps us to have greater union with God.
What relationships help you have a greater relationship with God? Who in your life helps you live in the image of God? Who brings out the best in you? Do you find yourself more joyful, more patient, more generous, more kind because of a particular special person in your life? The love that we give one another it’s a reflection of the love that God gives to us. The more we give patience, kindness, and love to others – the more we live in the image of God.
Today let us pray that we have healthy relationships that are holy, Let us pray for families and marriages and children. Let us ask God’s Spirit to continue to come upon us – that we may grow closer to one another and closer to God .
First Reading
Gn 2:18-24
The two of them become one flesh.
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.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
R. :
℟. (cf. 5) May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
May you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Second Reading
Heb 2:9-11
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews
Brothers and sisters:
He “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,”
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting that he,
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated
all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”
Acclamation before the Gospel
1 Jn 4:12
℟. Alleluia, alleluia.
If we love one another, God remains in us
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
℟. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12
Therefore what God has joined together, let no human being separate.
✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
“Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
“Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
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,
no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery.”
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.
Or: [Shorter Form]
The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
“Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
“Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
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,
no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery.”
At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:
The Gospel of the Lord.
All reply:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Catholic Bible Study / Scripture Reflections 