Cycle B, Year II

7 October 2012: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Liturgical color: Green)

Mark 10:2-16

Marriage: an everlasting commitment of love!

There is this anecdote of husband and wife. "Honey," the wife asked, "what are you looking for?" The husband answered, "Nothing." The wife persisted, "Nothing? You have been reading our marriage certificate for an hour now."  The husband finally admitted, "Well, I am looking for the expiry date!"

The gospel touches on the topic of marriage and divorce. The Pharisees tested Jesus with this question:"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"

Jesus' categorical answer is NO, saying that from the very beginning of creation God intended marriage between husband and wife to be an everlasting commitment of love. "Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate."

In God's plan the dignity of every person is realized in matrimony and family, because it is there where the self-esteem for mature adult relationship is first experienced and nurtured. Also, marriage reflects who God is, because God is relationship and eternal commitment.

The various teachings of the Church, especially in the encyclical Humanae Vitae, tell us further that the love to which espouses are especially called in matrimony mirrors the very love of Christ himself for his Church: a love that is full, total, faithful and fruitful as he gives his very life for the Church and its members.

But it is sad that today marriage and the family is struggling and under attacks even among Catholics. There are persistent attempts in Congress to legislate divorce, and the divisive reproductive health bill that tends to destroy family life. As true Catholics we must stand up to defend the sacrament of marriage and the family from all these attacks. Because marriage and the family are the important foundation of society. The future well-being of society depends on strengthening family life. Pope Benedict XVI in his recent speeches tells us that "the sacred institution of marriage is vital to the well-being of every nation."

Interestingly, the gospel narrative concludes with Jesus telling his disciples to be childlike as the criteria for entering the kingdom of God.

Perhaps Jesus is advising us that when some of his teachings are hard to understand, and much more difficult to accept and obey, for example the teaching on indissolubility of marriage and the sacredness of life, it is better to adopt the docility and trusting attitude of a child as an attribute that will help followers of Jesus experience kingdom of peace and joy in their own lives. In other words, trust God always instead of questioning the wisdom of his words.

The Eucharist that we celebrate at Mass is in itself a nuptial meal, a wedding banquet, calling us to fidelity to our faith and to the fullness of life in God's kingdom. Let us pray that we do our share to strengthen and defend marriage and family life in our community and society. 

A blessed  Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo