The Nature of Holy Matrimony

 

Marriage is primarily for companionship, which open to welcome children.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, October 6th, 2024
Texts: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128:1-5; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 

We reflect today on the nature of Holy matrimony. We learn in today’s first reading that Holy matrimony came about as a remedy for loneliness. We read, “The  Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’" This means marriage is primarily for companionship.  

We must note that it is not a sin to be alone. It is not good for man to be alone because he cannot fulfil the purpose of God alone. Another reason is that given man procreative power alone will make him too independent and go astray. Hence, man or animal could not be the helper God wants for man. God had to take from man to make a helper for him. 

The first reading nullifies bestiality as it makes clear that no helper fit for man among animals. We read, “ So out of the ground the  Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him.” The fact that God did not make a man for man nullifies gay marriage.  

The first reading affirms that marriage is a covenant in which spouses make partnership of the whole life for the good of both and procreation of children; which in Christ has been raised to the dignity of Sacrament. Being a sacrament Holy matrimony enjoys permanence and indissolubility. Jesus Christ raised Holy matrimony to the dignity of a sacrament through His suffering, death and resurrection. He redeemed marriage, rescuing it from corruption. 

Today’s second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. The author speaks of the new status of things in Christ thus: “We see  Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one.” Everything in Christ receives a new status as Christ Himself receives glory and honour.  

Jesus Christ speaks of indissolubility of marriage in today’s gospel reading. He emphasises that marriage is indissoluble because it is an act of God. It is God that makes the man and the woman one. He puts it thus: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." A man and a woman become one in Holy matrimony by the authority of God, not by authority of man. Hence, man cannot undo what he has no authority to do. 

Jesus Christ emphasises permanence of marriage as He considers remarriage after divorce an adultery. He says, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." It simply means that marital covenant exists for life; the exclusivity and vow of fidelity remain binding throughout one’s life.  

The Gospel reading ends by showing us that every marriage should be open to welcome children. This is clear in Jesus’ reception of children. They should do nothing that hinders the bearing of children. They should have open arms for children like Jesus, saying, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them”.  

The children are model of how to receive the kingdom of God in every family.  This is clear as Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." 

Prayer 

Almighty ever-living God, who in the abundance of your kindness surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you, pour out your mercy upon us to pardon what conscience dreads and to give what prayer does not dare to ask. Amen
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke