The 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
A reflection on the Readings
My brothers and sisters in Christ, I just want to let you know how much it means to me when you take the time to read what I have to say. Understand that anything I say that has some significance is from the Holy Spirit, but I'm pleased he can use me. I have been unable to blog as much as I'd like to, and I'm going to try and do it more, but I can't guarantee anything. Without further ado though...
This week, the Church presents us with a reading from Genesis and Hebrews, and the Gospel from Mark. All three tie together quite nicely, as only the Catholic Church can do.
In Genesis we are told about the creation of women saying:
"This one, at last, is bone of my bonesand flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called 'woman, '
for out of 'her man' this one has been taken."
Genesis 2:23
What a beautiful thing to read, bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. What comes after this though?
In the Reading to the Hebrews, Marriage is not directly talked about, but instead, Paul speaks about Jesus' suffering, and how we receive salvation through him. He also relates that Jesus did not just die for the Jews, so that they could be saved, but anyone who believes. For the people reading these letters, it was a tough message to swallow, because the readers were Jews, but St. Paul talks about how everyone has the same origins, going back to the first reading from Genesis, and that the Lord came to save everyone.
The Gospel also connects with these two readings, as Jesus is addressing the Pharisee's and telling them that the old law has changed, and that divorce is no longer right, saying it was only said to be okay because of the hardness of their hearts. Just like the first reading, Marriage is addressed, and Jesus even goes on to say:
So basically, this weeks Sunday reading drive home the importance of two things: Marriage and the true sacredness of it, and also the end goal of Eternal Life.
With that, are the two connected? Absolutely.
I read these passages, and I think the message is simple, telling us that we can not get to heaven alone. I am not saying, nor do I think the Lord is saying, that all need to be married and that only through that can one obtain Eternal Life. I do think that Jesus is saying that we need to understand the importance of brotherhood though, and I know from experience, how true this is.
Life can seem very smooth until we find ourselves lost or doing something we are not comfortable with. An example for me would be just recently when I helped out with prayer teams. I had been involved in them before, but normally I was getting prayed over. At the most recent Praise and Worship though, I was asked to help out, even though my initial intention was to be prayed over. I never was given the opportunity to be prayed over, but I was able to see the fruits of the spirit working through me and the people I was praying with. The Lord showed me the strength of prayer in a very intimate way, one I had experienced before, but not exactly the same. I came into those prayer teams hoping to receive, but was then asked to do something not in my comfort zone, and give. My pride is great, but I was very humbled when asked to pray over someone, and call the holy spirit. I didn't feel worthy at all, but I did it. And what does this have to do with brotherhood? Well I was not doing this praying alone, but was praying with three other Franciscan students. I was being used by the Lord is a way I truly didn't deserve, but I accepted it, just as the Lord accepted me.
Overall, I know I went a bit off course with the readings, but I still think my story goes with the message for this week. The call to Eternal Life can be fulfilled if we but only "crucify our will" and look to Him in all things. Of course this is easier said then done, but I think with good people around us, it is obtainable.
"He died for me, so I must live for him."
"That is why a man leaves his father and motherThe first reading talks about the creation of women, but also sacrament of Marriage. Take a second and re-read those two passages. In the first book of the bible, the Lord shows us the Sacrament of Marriage. That is just crazy to me.
and clings to his wife,
and the two of them become one flesh."
Genesis 2:24
In the Reading to the Hebrews, Marriage is not directly talked about, but instead, Paul speaks about Jesus' suffering, and how we receive salvation through him. He also relates that Jesus did not just die for the Jews, so that they could be saved, but anyone who believes. For the people reading these letters, it was a tough message to swallow, because the readers were Jews, but St. Paul talks about how everyone has the same origins, going back to the first reading from Genesis, and that the Lord came to save everyone.
The Gospel also connects with these two readings, as Jesus is addressing the Pharisee's and telling them that the old law has changed, and that divorce is no longer right, saying it was only said to be okay because of the hardness of their hearts. Just like the first reading, Marriage is addressed, and Jesus even goes on to say:
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."
Mark 10:12
So basically, this weeks Sunday reading drive home the importance of two things: Marriage and the true sacredness of it, and also the end goal of Eternal Life.
With that, are the two connected? Absolutely.
I read these passages, and I think the message is simple, telling us that we can not get to heaven alone. I am not saying, nor do I think the Lord is saying, that all need to be married and that only through that can one obtain Eternal Life. I do think that Jesus is saying that we need to understand the importance of brotherhood though, and I know from experience, how true this is.
Life can seem very smooth until we find ourselves lost or doing something we are not comfortable with. An example for me would be just recently when I helped out with prayer teams. I had been involved in them before, but normally I was getting prayed over. At the most recent Praise and Worship though, I was asked to help out, even though my initial intention was to be prayed over. I never was given the opportunity to be prayed over, but I was able to see the fruits of the spirit working through me and the people I was praying with. The Lord showed me the strength of prayer in a very intimate way, one I had experienced before, but not exactly the same. I came into those prayer teams hoping to receive, but was then asked to do something not in my comfort zone, and give. My pride is great, but I was very humbled when asked to pray over someone, and call the holy spirit. I didn't feel worthy at all, but I did it. And what does this have to do with brotherhood? Well I was not doing this praying alone, but was praying with three other Franciscan students. I was being used by the Lord is a way I truly didn't deserve, but I accepted it, just as the Lord accepted me.
Overall, I know I went a bit off course with the readings, but I still think my story goes with the message for this week. The call to Eternal Life can be fulfilled if we but only "crucify our will" and look to Him in all things. Of course this is easier said then done, but I think with good people around us, it is obtainable.
"He died for me, so I must live for him."
