Reflection on Today's Readings, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, October 3rd, 2021
Texts: Gen. 2:18-24; Ps. 128:1-6; Heb. 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16
We are called today to reflect on marriage: It's origin, purpose and indissolubility. Today's first reading, taken from the book of Genesis, speaks of the purpose of marriage. The reason or purpose of marriage is companionship. God says, “it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Loneliness is not good for us and God does not will it for us too. Anything we do that hinders companionship is evil. We have to work towards companionship. To say that Loneliness is evil is to say that companionship is a value we must uphold and promote in our lives.
Companionship is a kind of relationship in which the participants sustain one another to function properly and be stable. Companionship is a unique kind of relationship that emphasizes being with one another for one another's good. Put differently, I am your companion when I am with you for your good. In companionship, the other person is a helper, for it is said, "I will make him a helper fit for him.” This means in companionship we seek the interest of the other person. Hence, St. Paul encourages companionship when he says, "Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other (1Cor. 10:24; cf. Phil. 2:4). He cites himself as an example, "Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved" (1Cor. 10:33). St. Paul is trying to say he has made himself a companion to many. We must be with one another in thought and in reality. Communion is key to companionship, for in companionship we share feelings, dreams, aspirations, strength and weakness with one another.
God has made for us in marriage a sustainable and permanent companionship. Marriage is different from so many other kinds of companionship because of its permanency. This is emphasized in today's gospel reading. Jesus says, “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. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” The first companionship is marriage and it was established by God. Marriage occurs when a man and a woman are joined together by God, not by human will, for the good of the partners. Such marriage must be for the glorification of God. It glorifies God when it manifests the everlasting love of God. The everlasting love of God is a reason for it's permanence and indissolubility.
Today's gospel reading also reveals that God wills that marriage should be open to childbearing; nothing should stand on the way of childbearing in marriage. Every human effort that stands on the way of childbearing is evil because such effort prevents children from coming to Jesus: if children are not born, no children will come to Jesus. Contraceptives in any form are evil and should be avoided. Jesus frowns at such acts and says, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God." Child is a gift of God in marriage.
Today's second reading reminds us that in this world marriage faces a lot of difficulties and challenges; it tastes suffering. It is wounded and bruised because it imitates the love of Christ. In it's suffering it is identified with Christ. In marriage, the partners should not lose sight of Jesus Christ in their difficulties; for in the second reading it is said, "For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering." They should always pray to Jesus Christ for help in their difficulties; He will lead them out.
Lord our God, we thank You for the gift of marriage, grant that difficulties may not tear Your children apart in marriage but help to deepen their love for one another. Amen
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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