Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
A dog is a man’s best friend. Yes, well, maybe not. While we get quite attached to our pets and other animal friends, it is other persons who are our real friends. “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.”
The best marriages, according to studies, are ones in which the husband and wife view each other as equals and share equally in the running of the home and the family. Tasks and decisions are shared, and there is agreement on the raising of children and they always have each other’s back when the little ones like to push their buttons. “If Daddy says no ask Mommy.” Oh no! You don’t get away with that trick, little one!
Couples who have been married many years, have seen their children grow up and have seen their grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, are often seen happily conversing and holding hands in their nursing homes or other residences. It’s that lifelong respect for the other that keeps a marriage happy, despite the occasional disagreement. Respect is key. If this respect is missing, especially from the beginning, perhaps a true marriage did not exist. This is a mystery we deal with in sincere prayer.
ALL HAVE ONE ORIGIN
We hear in the Letter to the Hebrews that Christ is made one with us in his suffering—“He ‘for a little while’ was made ‘lower than the angels,’ that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” “He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them ‘brothers [and sisters].’ ”
We are all made in the image of God, and therefore are one in Christ. We sometimes forget that Christ is our brother as well as our Lord. The love he has for us is faithful and never ending. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.” For “God made them male and female,” equal in love and respect for one another.
LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME
Jesus’ love extends not only to adults. It extends not only to those in loving and respectful marriages, but extends to all people, especially children big and little. The disciples tried to prevent parents from bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing. Jesus rebuked the disciples and said, “Let the children come to me . . . for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” His teachings always emphasized humility and trust, and he held up these children as the best examples. “Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Children are by nature curious and humble; they know that they are small and depend on their parents for everything. Likewise, we must be humble and recognize that we are small before God and depend on God for everything in our lives that is good. To have this attitude is to look for the kingdom of God and to be ready to enter it. And, like the children, we will be touched and blessed by Jesus and welcomed into his arms.
Today’s Readings: Gn 2:18–24; Ps 128:1–2, 3, 4–5, 6; Heb 2:9–11; Mk 10:2–16 [2–12]
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