Daily Readings - Sun Oct 03 2021

⁷the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.¹⁵The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.¹⁸The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."¹⁹Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.²⁰So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.²¹So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.²²Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.²³The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, 'for she was taken out of man."²⁴For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Hebrews

Chapter 2

⁹But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.¹⁰In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.¹¹Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Mark

Chapter 10

²Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"³"What did Moses command you?" he replied.⁴They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away."⁵"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied.⁶"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'⁷'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,⁸and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one.⁹Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."¹⁰When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this.¹¹He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.¹²And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, 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.