Reflection for 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection for 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
Genesis 2:18-24: Upon reading this story about the creation of Eve, as a “suitable companion” for Adam, it seems a good time for reflection on gender differences. At this time when there seems to be a social agenda to “blur” the differences between male and female; this reading gives us a different point of reflection: namely, how men and women are created to complement one another. While focusing on how we complement one another and fulfill one another’s needs, we aren’t focusing on competing with one another; as if in a contest. Instead, we can focus on how we can best use our innate strengths to serve one another, “out of reverence for Christ.” When a man and a woman become so intimate with one another that there is a healthy balance of mutual giving and receiving, the two, truly do become one!
 
Psalm 128: “May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.” In this psalm, we sing about the “fruitfulness” of obedience to God’s Commands, which results in the development of virtues and benefits in the soul of the obedient servant. Next, we sing about how obedient and virtuous parents have an ordered and harmonious home-life; with virtuous and obedient children and a family life characterized by peace and serenity. (While there are still “challenging times,” the hope of faith helps families that practice the faith to endure the challenges). Lastly, we sing blessings upon obedient servants; wishing for them, prosperity and abundant graces, both in this life and in the afterlife.
 
Hebrews 2: 9-11: In this tender and loving reading, St. Paul radiates reverence and gratitude to God for Jesus’ Incarnation as God in human form. Paul proclaims the overwhelmingly generous and humble benevolence of God to become man in order to sacrifice His life and achieve our salvation. Paul describes how Jesus, as a man was “made perfect through suffering.”
 
In response to this reading, it might be rewarding this week to focus on how we, too, become perfect through suffering. This is a concept that has become largely absent from social consciousness in recent generations. Suffering, whether physical, mental or spiritual, can result in the growth of virtues in us, such as patience, faith, self-discipline, sacrifice and cultivation of a positive attitude, despite trials. Consider researching the concept of “the redemptive value of suffering.” This concept explains how we can “offer up” or sacrifice our suffering in reparation for our own sins or for those of others. We can also petition God for our own and for others’ healing. Offering up our sufferings in union with Jesus’ own sufferings has huge value for healing both our own and other souls. Redemptive suffering also unites us with Jesus in a most intimate and tender manner.
 
Mark 10:2-16: In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims the dignity and sanctity of marriage. Jesus condemns divorce if it is enacted for selfish reasons or for reasons of unfaithfulness to one’s marriage vows. In our modern culture, there’s a huge emphasis on pursuing one’s own self-indulgence and pleasure, such that the concept of focusing on the spiritual ideal of mutual giving and receiving sacrifices of love are not often the focus of discussions regarding marriage. There are doubtlessly, good reasons for some divorces; including as Jesus mentioned, infidelity; but also, domestic violence and other forms of abuse. Clearly, we need to have more of a focus on developing the holy dynamics of a Christian marriage, centered on God and with obedient adherence to the faith.
Let’s ponder this!
 
Deacon Matt