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Word To Life
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Columns-Word to Life Sep-28-2009 (435 words) xxxc
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Oct. 4, 2009
By Jeff Hedglen
Catholic News Service
October 4, Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 128:1-6
2) Hebrews 2:9-11
Gospel: Mark 10:2-16
Having a master's degree in theology and working for the church can get me in trouble, or at least scoffed at, from time to time.
Awhile back, my wife and I were having a light-hearted discussion about "bedroom" matters with a group of married friends. I put forth the idea that the consummation of marital love is symbolic of the total self-giving of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit among each other and suggested this is a primary reason for the sacrament of matrimony. When we give ourselves to each other out of love we mirror the Trinity.
One person laughed and said, "I never think about that at such times."
I shrugged it off, and we moved on to other topics, but the comment stayed with me.
Our society has reduced sex to a selling point for material goods and a recreational activity for the partaking of any and all. The problem with this is that God has a much deeper and fulfilling purpose for marriage, in and out of the bedroom.
This weekend's readings speak of the origins of marriage. Both Genesis and Mark remind us that "a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh." To emphasize this, Mark adds, "So they are no longer two but one flesh."
God did not intend for humans to be alone. We are at our best when we are in community.
Pope John Paul II explained this idea in depth in his work "Theology of the Body" in which he speaks of a "communion of persons." He says we are created to be like the Trinity -- persons in communion with each other. The most excellent expression of this is the sacrament of marriage, but extended family and friends fit into this communion as well.
In a society that has warped the gift of marital love, the church stands as a beacon of light calling us to a more perfect understanding of how we share ourselves whether we are single or married. We were never meant to be alone; we have been made to live like God does, in union with each other.
QUESTIONS:
How does our society make it difficult to be a communion of persons? What are ways we can be more united with the people in our lives?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"The Lord God said: 'It is not good for the man to be alone'" (Genesis 2:18).
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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