The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the fullness of life and blessings we experience through love of those close to us.
Blessings around the table
The reading from the Book of Genesis declares ‘It is not good that the man should be alone;’
* [2:24] One body: lit., “one flesh.” The covenant of marriage establishes kinship bonds of the first rank between the partners.1
Psalm 128 gives thanks for the happy home of the faithful.
* [Psalm 128] A statement that the ever-reliable God will bless the reverent (Ps 128:1). God’s blessing is concrete: satisfaction and prosperity, a fertile spouse and abundant children (Ps 128:2–4). The perspective is that of the adult male, ordinarily the ruler and representative of the household to the community. The last verses extend the blessing to all the people for generations to come (Ps 128:5–6).2
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews teaches Jesus Exaltation through Abasement.
* [2:5–18] The humanity and the suffering of Jesus do not constitute a valid reason for relinquishing the Christian faith. Hebrews applies this christologically: Jesus lived a truly human existence, lower than the angels, in the days of his earthly life, particularly in his suffering and death; now, crowned with glory and honor, he is raised above all creation. The author considers all things as already subject to him because of his exaltation (Heb 2:8–9), though we do not see this yet. The reference to Jesus as leader (Heb 2:10) sounds the first note of an important leitmotif in Hebrews: the journey of the people of God to the sabbath rest (Heb 4:9), the heavenly sanctuary, following Jesus, their “forerunner” (Heb 6:20). It was fitting that God should make him perfect through suffering, consecrated by obedient suffering. 3
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce and He blesses little children.
* [10:2–9] In the dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees on the subject of divorce, Jesus declares that the law of Moses permitted divorce (Dt 24:1) only because of the hardness of your hearts (Mk 10:4–5). In citing Gn 1:27 and 2:24 Jesus proclaims permanence to be the divine intent from the beginning concerning human marriage (Mk 10:6–8). He reaffirms this with the declaration that what God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mk 10:9). See further the notes on Mt 5:31–32; 19:3–9.4
Nicky Santos, S.J. comments that at first glance, today’s gospel reading appears to be about marriage, divorce, and adultery. However, when one considers the sections that follow in chapter 10, the focus seems to be on discipleship.
The invitation to the disciples is to move from a legalistic mindset to one that accepts the kingdom of God like a child (verses 13-16). Further, true discipleship entails being detached from all possessions including attachment to self so as to allow God’s grace to flow through (verses 17-31). But the disciple who has given up all for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundred fold in this life and eternal life in the age to come (verses 29-30)... I wonder what it will be like if we have this childlike disposition at every waking moment of our lives, in all our relationships, whether of marriage or of friendship.5
Don Schwager quotes “Mutual servants, equally serving,” by Tertullian, 160-225 A.D.
"Where are we to find language adequately to express the happiness of that marriage which the church cements, the oblation confirms, the benediction signs and seals, the angels celebrate, and the Father holds as approved? For all around the earth young people do not rightly and lawfully wed without their parents' consent. What kind of yoke is that of two believers who share one hope, one desire, one discipline, one service (Ephesians 4:4)? They enjoy kinship in spirit and in flesh. They are mutual servants with no discrepancy of interests. Truly they are 'two in one flesh' (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31). Where the flesh is one, the spirit is one as well. Together they pray, together bow down, together perform their fasts, mutually teaching, mutually entreating, mutually upholding. In the church of God they hold an equal place (Romans 12:15; 15:6; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12). They stand equally at the banquet of God, equally in crises, equally facing persecutions, and equally in refreshments. Neither hides anything from the other. Neither neglects the other. Neither is troublesome to the other (Philippians 1:27). (excerpt from TO HIS WIFE 2.8)8
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:2-16 comments that it’s natural to think small and want specifics: what’s allowed and what isn’t, who’s right and who’s wrong. But Jesus wanted his opponents to think bigger, to see God’s huge, glorious plan—and he wants to do the same thing for us.
It’s about creative, faithful, self-giving love. It’s about God knitting together a man and woman who are both in need of grace. It’s about reflecting the image of God: revealing his perfect love through the everyday, imperfect love of a husband and wife. And it’s a beautiful window into the loving, faithful relationship that God desires to have with every one of his children.7
Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out the narrative in Genesis in the context of an ancient matriarchal time in Israel. The passage from Hebrews responds to the belief in Jesus' time that the spiritual beings were far superior to material beings. Friar Jude reminds us of the pastoral challenge undertaken by Pope Francis to regularize the situation of divorced and separated Catholics.
Suzanne Guthrie reflects in her Soulwork Toward Sunday: Self-Guided Retreat Proper 22 (Year B) on "Against Hardness of Heart."
My worst prejudices are still the ones I don't know I have, still blinding me to truth, still hardening my heart in embarrassing ways for a supposedly open-hearted liberal striving for universal compassion. HA! But broken prejudices, however humiliating, have always opened me to new people and ideas, and a wider sense of compassion, understanding, and wisdom. Kierkegaard said, “To cheat oneself out of love is the most terrible deception. It is an eternal loss for which there is no reparation, either in time or eternity.” Every small hardness of heart cheats me of the love within which I was born to thrive. And surely love is more desirable than temporal security or status.8
In honor of tomorrow’s feast of St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226), this week the Daily Meditations team is sharing reflections on Francis’ affinity for the natural world and the animals who inhabit it. Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on the legacy of his spiritual father.
Living close to nature as he did, Francis could see Christ in every animal he encountered. He is quoted as talking to or about rabbits, bees, larks, falcons, lambs, pigs, fish, cicadas, waterfowl, doves, and the famous wolf of Gubbio, to name just a few. Those of you who love dogs know that each one is uniquely gifted by God and blesses our lives in special ways. Their unconditional love, forgiveness, and loyalty show us what God is like. My successive dogs, Peanut Butter, Gubbio, Venus, and now Opie, have enriched my life in many ways.9
Our reflection on our love of those close to us opens our heart to gratitude for our blessings as we share our journey to full life.
References
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