What God Has Joined Together
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10: 2-16- The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 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 people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family. Parents of young children might choose to substitute anything referring to “sexuality” as “union” or something similar.
There are many questions today about love, sexuality, marriage, and family. And this is nothing new. Today’s Gospel states clearly that there were questions about these topics in Jesus’ day and even as far back as Moses’ day. It is interesting for us today to see just how Jesus answers these questions. He does not poll the public opinion. He does not ask people what they want. Nor does He refuse to talk about controversial issues. What He does do is refer immediately and repeatedly to the Scriptures. In His infinite wisdom, power, and love, God the Son chooses to refer to Scripture to answer these questions.
There in the Scriptures, God the Holy Spirit has spoken with His infinite wisdom, power, and love, about the original plan that God the Father in His infinite wisdom, power, and love has made for love, sexuality, marriage, and family. So when Jesus concludes His Scripture commentary, He adds His own line, “Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” But before we point our fingers at others whose views might “separate” love, sexuality, marriage, and family…let us examine ourselves. [parents of young children might choose to skip the following two sentences and continue at “Let us…”] Are our opinions and especially our practices on the following things consistent with Scripture: divorce, re-marriage, homosexuality, contraception? Are the things we watch on TV, the way we date, the places we go, the situations we put ourselves in, consistent with Scripture? Let us be careful that we aren’t thinking and living in such ways that separate love, sexuality, marriage, and family. If we are, we will find ourselves at odds with Scripture and the perfect and unbending teaching of Christ.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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