Sunday Refelctions

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE IS A CALL TO LIVE IN UNITY AND LOVE

27 Sunday of the Liturgical Year (Year B)

Gen 2:18-24; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

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Fredrick, a young catholic boy was in a hurry in preparation for his wedding. As part of the preparation, he got printed his wedding cards in his own hometown. He thought, as a sign of respect, he must give the card to the parish priest first. So he went to the Parish priest and gave him the card. The parish priest at the first glance noticed the word ‘Welding Invitation’ instead of ‘Wedding Invitation’ on the envelope. Fredrick was so sorry about the blunder and he apologized for it. But the parish priest then told Fredrick, “Don’t worry my son. You have rightly got it printed. Wedding is truly welding.” 

My dear brothers and sisters, indeed Christian marriage is welding of two hearts and two minds.

In today’s first reading from the book of Genesis, we hear the creation of man and woman. The text we have heard, presents to us the original plan of God. They were to be companions with each other. Therefore, the author of the text rightly tells us the mind of God, saying, “The two become one body.”

At the time of Jesus, divorce was simple and easy. For practically any reason, a man could dismiss his wife and marry another. For instance- if the wife spoiled the dish of food or if a woman talked to a man who is a stranger, or if a man found a woman who is fairer than his wife in his eyes, he would put her away. She was easily replaceable. Both, the passage from the book of Genesis and the gospel teach us that such an attitude is unacceptable to the Lord. Women are not to be looked upon as replaceable products. Once they are joined in marriage they are one. Jesus as the Messiah, as the final revealer of the will of God, reinforces the original order of things, saying, “what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church while emphasizing on the sacrament of Marriage says, "The unity of marriage, distinctly recognized by our Lord, is made clear in the equal personal dignity which must be accorded to man and wife in mutual and unreserved affection." 

We live in a world, which largely believes in the culture of relativism and individualism. This has deeply led to misunderstandings between the married couples and ultimately divorce of married life. Countering these present trends is a challenge to every married couple. God expects us to be faithful to what we have promised before Him in the Church and live in unity and love. 

Pope Francis while addressing to the newly married couples in Rome once said, there are three important words for a successful married life – Please, Thank you, I am sorry. These three words though look simple, help us to be in true union with the spouse and ever remain in love. 

Am I faithful to God in my married life? Am I faithful to my spouse in building a family of unity and love? Do I remain in one mind and heart in every moment of my married life? What is my attitude towards the sacrament of marriage and the original plan of God for His creation? 

In today’s second reading, the author of the letter to the Hebrews, points out that our origin is in God. Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage every Christian couple is enabled to live in unity and love. The Eucharist we celebrate is the source of our life. Eucharist is an example of Jesus to break our bodies and shed our blood for each other in our life. It helps us to deepen the original plan of God for all of us. Let us ask for all these graces during the  Mass today.

(You are most welcome to add your thoughts and reflections in the comment section below)

Happy Sunday