Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 06, 2024
Twenty-Seventh Week of Ordinary Time
06th October 2024 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 3
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Genesis 2:18-24
The Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 (R. see 5)
R/. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Second Reading: Hebrews 2:9-11
Brethren: We see him, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Mark 10:2-16
At that time: Some Pharisees came up and in order to test Jesus asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and 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 not man separate.” And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. And 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 they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Sunday – Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
Guidelines: Dissension and hurt are the order of the day and family life too is badly affected by the same ill fate. We need to rediscover the missing elements
1. The Word of God strongly focuses on one of the hallowed and crucial institutions and pillars of the society. It is marriage. Today, this is cracking and crumbling. Family conflicts are increasing. Joy of married life is missing. Divorces are ever on hike. Jesus addresses this issue and invites us for a right perspective.
2. Jesus categorically rules out divorce. The most obvious and valid reason is it is against God’s will and design. God wills and designs that a married man and woman remain together life long. There is no question of breakage or separation. The church too, in tune with Jesus’ teaching, does not sanction divorce.
3. Some may argue that this is not fair. Times are changing. Problems are varied and complex. We cannot apply the same age old rules . If one of the partners is not good, if the married life is joyless and frustrating, how can we be so heartless to keep them together? Rules are ultimately for the good and happiness of the human persons.
4. We do not undermine the validity of these arguments. But our focus is not so much about divorce or no divorce. Our concern is something deeper. It is to see the missing links in the bond of marriage and family. It is to honestly see what exactly goes wrong with the present marriages and families. In which way, we can restore and regain the lost beauty and happiness?
5. The basic problem is a problem of perspective and mindset. For many today, marriage is no longer something divine or holy. It is more a social arrangement, a cultural tradition. The obvious reasons are such as convenience, the establishment and maintenance of family, a legitimized physical union for sexual satisfaction and procreation and begetting of children, assurance of social and financial security, et cetera.
6. Certainly this is more practical and useful. But, this can drastically reduce the aspect of stability, durability and bindingness of marriage bond. It cannot work merely on the principle of “As long as it works”. The operating principle must be not usefulness alone but faithfulness.
7. It is here the teaching of Jesus and church becomes vital and directing. Marriage is not merely a social contract but a spiritual covenant. It is not merely a cultural tradition but a mutual devotion. It is not merely a useful agreement but a meaningful commitment.
8. For the Catholic church, the value of marriage is forcefully safeguarded by understanding it as a “Sacrament”. It is a relationship with God and with each other. It is not like any other relationships. It is deeply intimate, holy and committed. God Himself is the author and designer of it and He continues to be its sustainer and fulfiller. It is not time-bound suiting to one’s convenience but permanent. In other words, it is “indissoluble”.
9. This understanding need not be tied or bound to religion. It is valid and highly recommendable to all irrespective of religion. Because it can serve as a timely and appropriate remedy and antidote for the present crisis in marriage and family. It brings out very powerfully the sanctity and fidelity in marriage. In fact, the sense of holiness and commitment is the most missing link in the chain of marriage. Nothing else like education, money, position, intelligence, competence can substitute for it.
10. And only such a sense of sanctity and fidelity can enhance a married life of love, humility and responsibility, in patience and perseverance. Only such a rediscovery of the beauty and value of marriage can rebuild married life on faith in God and commitment to mutual good.
In fact, this holds good for any walk of life, even for the consecrated life.
Practice: Fidelity to God and fidelity to each other can recapture the lost dignity and joy in married life, and for that matter any consecrated community life.
