Akhsi Wary csc –
Readings: Gen 2:18-24; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16
Today, we celebrate the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings of the day primarily focus on the fundamental aspects of human relationships, especially marriage, and reveal the divine intention behind these bonds.
In the first reading, we hear about the creation of woman. God saw that it was not good for man to be alone, so he decided to make a suitable partner for him. He put the man into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and made a woman from it. When the man saw her, he recognized her as part of himself, saying, “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” This illustrates the importance of companionship and the connection between man and woman. Indeed, we are created to be in relationships, to support and complement one another.
In the gospel, we hear Jesus being questioned by the Pharisees about marriage and divorce. They ask if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus responds by referring to the creation story, emphasizing that from the beginning, God made them male and female, intending for them to become one flesh. He says that what God has joined together, no one should separate.
Jesus teaches us today that marriage is a sacred bond, a sacrament that should not be taken lightly or broken, for it is a holy union, blessed by God himself, where two become one, reflecting Christ’s love and lasting commitment. So, we ask for God’s grace that we may continue to cherish our relationships, honour our commitments, whether in marriage or religious life, and embrace the kingdom of God with the simplicity and purity of a child.