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Father's Weekly Reflection (27th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
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October 6, 2021
27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B
Theme: The mission and vision of Christian Marriage.
On this twenty-seventh Sunday of the church’s ordinary time, we rejoice in the wonderful gift and institution of both marriage and family. Both marriage and family institutions are founded on a genuine love for the sustenance of humanity. Unfortunately, in our time both are threatened by erring cultures to the detriment of continued human existence. It is important to note therefore that whatever threatens marriage and family life threatens love, unity, and in fact human existence. While marriage plays the dual role of affection between couples and, the sustenance of humanity through procreation, the family is in the words of Pope Francis is “the Factory of hope.” So today we celebrate our belonging together as a family of God. Through love and sacrifice, Christ has made us his brothers and sisters. The love that we show for each other in our celebration will be largely dependent on the love and respect that exist in our own human families.
Today, both our first reading and the gospel strongly call us to uphold the sanctity of marriage. Both readings show us that marriage is a gift and act of God that must be cherished and protected. However, it is important to point out that it has its challenges that require the grace of God to overcome at times. Marital problems should be resolved mutually with godly intent and the readiness to forgive and change for good. Often times most couples think that the best way to resolve the problems associated with marriage is divorce. While this might seem good, it is important to point out that it is not the will of God for any marriage to be broken: “This is why a man must leave his father and mother, and join himself to his wife, and they become one body…So what God had united, man must not divide.”
Our reflection has two dimensions; human infidelity and divorce. Today’s readings call our attention to the danger of divorcing God who is the only valid and meaningful partner in our lives. Those who understand the blessing of a good relationship with God and the value of religious fidelity do not attempt divorce. It requires the gift of wisdom to understand this. It requires a lot of discipline.
The wise do not divorce God from their lives. Every act of sin is an attempt at divorcing God. The wise hate, fear, and avoid whatever will lead them into the sin of divorce. Therefore, infidelity to God leads to infidelity to man/woman. In broken marriage, there are many effects of divorce on society and on children who are the product of the broken marriage [hate, pain, broken hearts, emotional trauma, etc].
Three hundred years before Christ, the philosopher Aristotle said, “divorce is to the family what civil war is to the state.” Since the matter of divorce is often painful, it is helpful to remember that Jesus’ deep intent was not to cause pain but to set out a clear and high ideal of human relations, a vision of marriage as a covenant of personal love between spouses which reflects the covenant relationship of God and his people. Unfortunately, this vision does not always fit the desire of the human heart (Cf. Jer.17:9).
In our day, there are often some people who approach the Church and ask her questions intended to put her to the test or to justify their lifestyles and convictions. To such people, the Lord’s discussion with the Pharisees remains a valid answer. Christ is teaching us today that the mission of Christian marriage is Unity created in Love, while the vision is the eternal life of glory.
I sincerely sympathize with many of our brothers and sisters who are going through difficult times in their marriages and pray that God will give them the strength to carry on. I pray especially for those who have been abandoned to raise their children alone. May God grant them the strength to move forward with their lives and may they find peace in taking care of their families. And for those who are getting ready to be united in this holy sacrament, may they find fulfillment in the love they profess.
Jesus loves you, and so do I.
Rev. Marcel Okonkwo