DAILY- HOMILY

October 4, 2015 - 27th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 

Cycle B, Green 

Gn 2:18 – 24 / Heb 2:9 – 11 / Mk 10:2 – 16

First Reading: Gn 2:18 – 24 

     Yahweh God said, "It is not good for Man to be alone; I will give him a helper who will be like him." Then Yahweh God formed from the earth all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air and brought them to Man to see what he would call them; and whatever Man called every living creature, that was its name.

     So Man gave names to all the cattle, the birds of the air and to every beast of the field. But he did not find among them a helper like himself. Then Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to come over Man and he fell asleep. He took one of his ribs and filled its place with flesh. The rib which Yahweh God had taken from Man he formed into a woman and brought her to the man. The man then said, "Now this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman because she was taken from man." That is why man leaves his father and mother and is attached to his wife, and with her becomes one flesh.

Second Reading: Heb 2:9 – 11

     But Jesus who suffered death and for a little while was placed lower than the angels has been crowned with honor and glory. For the merciful plan of God demanded that he experience death on behalf of everyone.

     God, from whom all come and by whom all things exist, wanted to bring many children to glory, and he thought it fitting to make perfect through suffering the initiator of their salvation. So he who gives and those who receive holiness are one. He himself is not ashamed of calling us brothers and sisters.

Gospel: Mk 10:2 – 12 

Some Pharisees came and put him to the test with this question, "Is it right for a husband to divorce his wife?" He replied, "What law did Moses give you?" They answered, "Moses allowed us to write a certificate of dismissal in order to divorce."

     Then Jesus said to them, "Moses wrote this law for you, because you are stubborn. But in the beginning of creation God made them male and female, and because of this, man has to leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body. So they are no longer two but one body. Therefore let no one separate what God has joined."

     When they were indoors at home, the disciples again asked him about this and he told them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against his wife, and the woman who divorces her husband and marries another also commits adultery."

Reflection:

     Today's Gospel reading gives reminders to all married people, those preparing for or thinking of marriage, and all concerned about married people. The Pharisees and teachers of the Jews question Jesus in hopes of trapping him in his teaching. Jesus uses their questions to teach us about marriage in God's plan.

     In answering the Jews, Jesus refers to the beginning of creation, "in the beginning God made them male and female, and because of this, man has to leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body. So they are no longer two but one body. Therefore let no one separate what God has joined."  From the beginning God created man and woman to be partners and companions in a life-long union of love. 

     Nowadays with the weakening of family values and the growing number of failed marriages and separated couples, divorce and annulments are common topics for discussion and debate. Should we or should we not? Could we or could we not?  Different countries have different laws on marriage, divorce and annulments.

     The Catholic Church, like other churches, claims jurisdiction on marriages of their members. For the Church the institution of marriage and the family and the sacrament of matrimony are at stake. From the beginning marriage and the family were instituted for the good of mankind. The Church sees the many difficulties and hardships in many failed marriages. The Sacrament of matrimony has uplifted and graced marriage; Christian marriage reflects Christ's love and union with his Church. Christian marriage reflects God's love for us.

     In today's Gospel reading Jesus affirms what was from the beginning. The Church has affirmed and re-affirmed its teaching on marriage and the family, on divorce and annulments.  The Sacrament of matrimony gives grace to couples to live out their marriage vows "for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health until death do us part."

     Marriage is a life-long, permanent and indissoluble commitment to the partner, in mutual love and supportive friendship.

     As committed followers of Christ and members of his Church, let us not be lured by so many current views on marriage and family life. Christ and his Church remind us that marriage is a call to a special vocation and a lifelong commitment to mutual love for and support of one's partner. Christ and the Church also assure married couples of his grace and help through the Sacrament of matrimony and the teaching of the Church.  

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     FR. FRANCIS XAVIER MANAZAN WONGWARN, SJ

     PAUL LOUIE N. SY

PRAYER INTENTION

     MYLENE, EMPRESS & KATE

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     CARLOS & BRENDA SIY

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

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