Reflection for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – October 3, 2021

By Theresa Wiggs, Notre Dame Associate

 

The readings for this Sunday touch on some very familiar relationships: 

Husbands and Wives

Brothers and Sisters 

and Children 

 

We hear in Genesis the story of how God formed a partner for ‘man’ out of one of his own ribs! The man says, “This one is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” Marriage is a partnership that is to be strong and lasting, even stronger than the bond we have with our own parents. 

 

In the Letter to the Hebrews, we are addressed as, “Brothers and Sisters”. This letter foretold a savior that will suffer and die for us. We are invited to have a close relationship with Jesus. He is our brother. 

 

In Mark’s gospel we hear that the Pharisees try to test Jesus on the law regarding divorce. Jesus knew man’s law yet chose to remind them what is expected of us. “What God has joined together; no human being must separate”. Jesus challenges us to form a strong, lasting relationship in marriage. Marriage is strong when we pray together and always remember that we need God to play a central role in our union.

 

Finally, we also hear that Jesus gathered the children unto Him and blessed them. Jesus gave the disciples this example to teach an important lesson. To enter the kingdom of God, we must have a childlike faith. 

 

These messages remind me that our faith is a precious gift. Our faith requires us to be in a relationship with God. That relationship is rich when we nurture it with prayer and trust.