Twenty - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
† Sunday 8th October 2000

Theme: The Covenant and unity of human love

A reading from the Book of Genesis 2 : 18 - 24
Men and Women are not solitary creatures, they need the support and companionship that each has to offer. This reading sets out the Old Testament view of the man-woman relationship, and the place it has in creation. The attraction of man and women for each other is seen as a gift from God, and their unity in the bond of lasting love, is seen as a sign of the covenant that also exists between God and his people.

The Letter to the Hebrews 2 : 9 - 11
Christ in lowering his dignity to become man, not only demonstrates his love for us, but also in virtue of his understanding of human nature, and by being one of us, is better placed to win our freedom. Truly our brother, Christ is the one who makes us holy, and brings us salvation.
The Gospel according to Mark 10 : 2 - 16
This gospel passage is really in two parts. The first is Jesus’ teaching on marriage and divorce, and the second tells us of Jesus’ attitude towards children. We need to understand, that the Pharisees were setting a trap for Jesus in asking him about that ‘difficult’ topic of Mosaic law. Jesus replies setting out the ideal and perfect nature of human marriage, “from the beginning of creation God made them male and female, and the two became one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So what God has united, man must not divide.” Later the disciples question him about this teaching, but when they send the children away, Jesus is indignant, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them.” Maybe, Jesus’ teaching about the nature of married love.is to be seen in the context of the parental responsibility to provide a stable home for their children.

© Peter Harrison 2000