Daily Readings - Sun Oct 03 2021
Genesis
7then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.15The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.18Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."19So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.20The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.21So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.22And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.23Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."24Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Hebrews
9But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.10For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.11For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
Mark
2And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"3He answered them, "What did Moses command you?"4They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away."5And Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.6But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.'7'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,8and they shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.9What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."10And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.11And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her,12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of creation, unity, and the sacredness of relationships. The first reading from Genesis recounts the creation of man and woman, emphasizing their complementary roles and the union God intended for them. This story forms the foundation of human relationships, highlighting companionship and mutual support. The second reading from Hebrews reflects on Jesus' role in salvation, illustrating His solidarity with humanity and how He brings people together through grace. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus' teaching on the indissolubility of marriage, rejecting the Mosaic allowance for divorce and reaffirming God's original plan for lifelong commitment.
These readings connect through the theme of unity and God's plan. Genesis sets the stage by describing marriage as a divine institution, while Mark's Gospel reinforces this by emphasizing the permanence of marriage. Hebrews, though focused on salvation, underscores the unity Jesus brings, mirroring the unity in marriage. Together, they highlight God's design for relationships and community.
In daily life, these teachings encourage us to cherish the sacrament of marriage and work towards strong, enduring relationships. They remind us of the importance of commitment and fidelity, not just in marriage but in all interactions. The readings also inspire us to reflect on how we can foster unity and solidarity, whether in our families, communities, or faith life.
The moral lesson here is the sacredness of commitments and the call to mirror God's love and fidelity. By valuing our relationships and striving for unity, we embody the love and solidarity that Jesus exemplifies. This reflection invites us to nurture our connections, understanding them as part of God's larger plan for humanity.