HOMILY FOR TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B. 03.10.2021.

Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128; Hebrew 2:9-11 and Mark 10:2-16. 

THE PRINCIPLE OF MARRIAGE

 

Solitude is generally seen as a state of seclusion or isolation, that is, the lack of contact with people. That is why we sometimes hear people say, “I just want to have my space, I want to be left alone.” What could be the drive for this when naturally man is a social being? This is explicit in today’s liturgy as it centers on the indissolubility of marriage which must be a union between man and woman, and not otherwise. The liturgy draws our attention to the unity that exists in marriage.

 

The book of Genesis records two accounts of creation. The first account of creation is found in chapter 1 and the second account of creation in chapter 2, which happens to be the first reading of today. In the first account of creation, on the sixth day, God said, “Let us make man in our image and likeness…” (Gen 1:26), which indicates the unity that exists in the Trinity, though not clearly spelled out. However, God the Father, creator of heaven and earth did not work alone. In the second account of creation (as in the first reading), it says, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him… So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh… and made into a woman.” Then the man said, “This at last is the bone of my bone and the flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman…”

 

God never intended for man to be alone or live in solitude/isolation. It is not good either in the marital or social sense. He said, “I will make him a helper fit for him and he caused a deep sleep to fall upon him.” This is the first surgery recorded in history with God being the surgeon. God even used a proper anesthetic on Adam. He used a part of Adam’s ribs to create Eve, to forever remind him of their essential oneness and equality. As Adam came to know Eve, he would notice that in many ways they were different, but he must never forget that they are essentially one and are made from one substance. This woman fits the man. Invariably, what a young man or woman should look after in marriage is the person that is compatible with him/her. Man was created on the sixth day, six biblically means imperfect. There is no perfect spouse but one that complements, fills or makes up for what is lacking in the other. Therefore, man and woman are imperfect and each need a spouse that will perfect him/her. Are you making up for what is lacking in your spouse?

 

There is a beautiful Jewish traditional saying that God made woman, not out of man’s foot to be under him, nor out of his head to be over him, but she was taken from under his arm that he might protect her and from next to his heart that he might love her. Literally, as the arms protect the ribs, so should man protect and love his woman as Christ does the Church (His Bride) born from the wound inflicted in his side on the cross.

 

Interestingly is the last verse of the pericope, which says, “A man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” In this, we take note of the Divine unity in the Trinity and the unity that exists between the man and the woman. The marriage principle stated here is based on the dynamic of oneness yet in distinctness. A husband and wife can truly come together in one flesh relationship, yet they must be joined. This passage forms the Biblical understanding of marriage and family life. It reminds us that this institution is monogamous; it is of man and woman as it has its origin from Adam and Eve not man and man nor woman and woman. This is the ideal marital and family life God created, not polygamy. It does not encourage concubinage and cohabitation, nor does it permit mistresses and adultery. It does not in any way promote homosexuality, promiscuity nor any form of intimately living together outside the marriage bond. It is not a serial marriage. It is the ideal for the family as set by God and we are called to always strive towards it.

 

Christ in the Gospel re-echoes this ideal to us in His response to the Pharisees who came to test him on the principle of marriage and divorce. He said, “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh…” Christ went further to reproach those who stand out to break this union in marriage. He reproaches those whose aim and purpose is to snatch husbands from their wives and wives from their husbands. Are you not one of them? No form of asunder in marriage is welcomed. This could also come from family members, relatives or parents who intrude into the affairs of young couples. One could advice or give suggestions, but know that it is not mandatory that your opinion be taken. We are meant to show understanding to couples who are in difficulties and assist them out of those situations.

 

Dear friends in Christ, one of the worst things that could happen to a wo(man) is to marry an incompatible spouse. That is why we must not rush into the institution of marriage, but prayerfully discern the choices we make. Notwithstanding, marriage has its own challenges, in which sometimes couples become the greatest enemies to themselves or strangers to each other, which could eventually lead to divorce. This is not the plan of God. However, some ingredients can revitalize such marriages. Forgiveness and understanding, openness and communication to one another, love and sacrifice can heal any broken home. Above all, prayer. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives as we put in efforts to sustain His original plan and principle of matrimony through Christ our Lord. Amen!

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ