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Our Sunday Reflection - October 6, 2024
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The two of them became one flesh.
Genesis 2:18-24
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
Especially appropriate on Respect Life Sunday, our first reading reminds us that God brought life to us all. Out of love and empathy for the first human, God created the first woman. God has blessed us with the ability to share in the creation of new life and we are called to exercise this blessing with care and respect. Valuing life at every stage, we pray today for all those whose lives are vulnerable, whether they are at the very beginning or end of their lives or because of circumstances that make their lives especially fragile.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Today’s first reading and Gospel may be difficult for many, especially divorced and LGBTQIA+ Catholics. The specifics and details speak of the traditional ideal of marriage. But the underlying theme is one of God’s infinite love for us and desire that we live in happiness, of which companionship and ultimately partnership are foundational. But whether we are married, single, divorced, or widowed, we each have companionship with Jesus. The reading from Hebrews emphasizes the solidarity we have with him, who became fully human so that by the grace of God he could suffer and die like us. No matter our situ ation, as we sing in the responsorial psalm, may the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.Reflections
- Once again, the religious authorities put Jesus to the test by asking him a thorny question, this time about divorce. Rather than giving a simple yes or no, Jesus attempts to change their perspective. God blesses a marital union by making the husband and wife a new creation, “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:8). They then go on to create new life themselves. (It’s no accident that Jesus follows this lesson by welcoming children.) Marriages, Jesus is saying, are holy. Holy not because they are perfect, but because they are blessed by God. Unfortunately, some turn out to be difficult or even broken, but God’s grace is always present. Let us make the effort to see that glimmer of grace even in failing marriages.
- Jesus spent his ministry reaching out to those who were on the margins of society: tax collectors and prostitutes, widows and beggars, those with afflic tions and those with disabilities. At the end of today’s Gospel, he reaches out to another group who has no power, no authority, and no standing in that society: children. Sometimes we imagine this scene as peaceful and serene, but anyone who has young children can easily imagine the scene completely differently. No doubt many of the children didn’t understand why they were being dragged to see this unfamiliar man. Some were likely whining, or crying, or even screaming. That would explain why the disciples wanted to send them all away. But Jesus insisted on embracing them just as he did lepers, blessing them just as he did the poor and hungry. May we learn from what he taught his disciples that day.
- To that end, we are reminded on Respect Life Sunday that we are called to care for all human life, for we are all members or potential members of the one body of Christ. We witnessed Jesus’ care for the vulnerable in his ministry, from those with terrible diseases and those possessed by demons to Samaritans and little children, none of whom were welcomed by those around him. Jesus could sympathize with them, for he himself was made lowly so that he could suffer and die for us. Today we defend the lives of the vulnerable and care for those who are least able to do so themselves.
Question of the Week
What will I do during Respect Life Month to defend those who are vulnerable, or care for those who are unable to care for themselves?
-from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, October 6, 2024
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, October 6, 2024
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Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS -
Reflections on the readings
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