The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 8, 2006
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16 or 10: 2-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

This week’s readings are all about marriage and family. The second reading from Hebrews gives the key to a successful attitude. In this marvelous letter to second-century Christians, the writer says: “He who consecrates and those who are consecrated all have one origin." It’s clear from the context that coming to glory through suffering is what we have in common with Jesus. As His whole purpose was giving glory to the Father through our redemption, so our whole purpose, whether married or not married, is the same as Christ’s. If married, then our purpose is to help our spouse give God glory through the communion of sacrificing love.

So, if a spouse’s self-fulfillment and personal pleasure-seeking have to take a back seat to the good of the other, then so be it! Compromise, openness to his ideas or her ideas, praying together, listening to each other, just being for one another—all make marriage a holy alliance. Incidentally, this kind of communion of spirit as well as communion of flesh makes for faith-filled acceptance and understanding that, at times of family tragedy, God is still loving and caring for us.

If we have this understanding of marriage, then Jesus’ advice to the Pharisees in today’s Gospel is possible and doable. Therefore, what God has put together, let no human being separate! Now when there are deep-seated troubles that go back before a couple married, then the Church’s annulment process is all about discerning whether God in his farseeing providence really willed to join this couple. This is the reason for in-depth preparation for the Sacrament.

Dear Lord, please assist all married couples to join with your Son in communion of heart and mind, that they may sacrifice themselves for the salvation of one another, and come with all their children one day to the joys of heaven. Amen.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)