The Unbreakable Cord of Marriage and God's Original Design

 

Today, we reflect on a profound teaching from our Lord Jesus about marriage.

But before we delve into the scripture, I'd like to share a story with you – a story of love, struggle, and unwavering commitment.

I once knew a couple, let's call them John and Mary.

They were high school sweethearts who married young, full of dreams and love for each other.

In the early years, their life seemed perfect – they had good jobs, a beautiful home, and were blessed with two children.

But as we know, life often has unexpected turns.

When their youngest child was diagnosed with a severe illness, their world was turned upside down.

The stress of hospital visits, mounting medical bills, and the constant worry began to take its toll.

John and Mary found themselves arguing more, drifting apart, each dealing with their pain in isolation.

One evening, after a particularly heated argument, John stormed out of the house.

As he drove around aimlessly, he found himself at my church.

The doors were open, and he walked in, collapsing into a pew, his head in his hands.

That's where I found him, and he poured out his heart to me.

He said, "I don't know if I can do this anymore.

It's too hard.

Maybe we'd all be better off if Mary and I just went our separate ways."

It was at this moment that the words of Jesus from today's Gospel reading came to my mind.

I said, “do you remember when the Pharisees ask Jesus, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

And Jesus responds by reminding them of God's original design:

"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."

And then Jesus adds these powerful words:

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

I shared these verses with John that night, reminding him that in marriage, God creates something new – a union so profound that it's described as "one flesh."

This bond isn't just a feeling or a legal contract; it's a spiritual reality.

"John," I said, "when you and Mary took your vows, you didn't just make a promise to each other.

You entered into a covenant with God.

And God is with you in this struggle."

We prayed together, and John left with a renewed sense of purpose.

It wasn't an instant fix – John and Mary had a long road ahead.

They sought counseling, both individually and as a couple.

They learned to communicate better, to lean on each other, and to seek support from their faith community during hard times.

Years later, I watched with joy as John and Mary renewed their vows on their 25th anniversary.

Their faces revealed the lines of the struggles they'd been through, but their eyes beamed with a deep love that had been tested and proven true.

As they stood before the altar, Mary turned to the congregation and said,

"There were times when it would have been easier to walk away.

But we chose to walk together, and God walked with us."

Brothers and sisters, this is the kind of commitment Jesus speaks of in today's Gospel.

When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with legal arguments about divorce, Jesus pointed them back to God's original design – a union so sacred that it reflects Christ's own unbreakable love for the Church.

Jesus says, "What God has joined together, let no one separate."

This isn't just a prohibition against divorce; it's an invitation to discover the deep, transformative power of committed love.

For those of you who are married, I encourage you to see your spouse through God's eyes today.

Remember that your marriage is not just about your happiness, but about your holiness – it's a path God has given you to grow in love, patience, and selflessness.

For those who are single or in other vocations, this teaching reminds us of the sacredness of all human relationships and the call to fidelity in our commitments.

And for those struggling in your marriages, like John and Mary were, remember that you are not alone.

Reach out for help – to God, to your church community, to professional counselors if needed.

Your marriage is worth fighting for.

Let us pray for all marriages, that they may be strengthened and renewed.

And may we all, whatever our state in life, strive to reflect God's faithful, unbreakable love,

in our relationships,

and with one another.

Amen

The Transformative Power of the Cross

24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B (Mark 8:27-35)

Today, we gather to reflect on a profound moment in the Gospel of Mark.

In this passage, Jesus and His disciples are traveling to the villages around Caesarea Philippi.

Along the way, Jesus poses a question that echoes through the ages:

"Who do people say I am?"

The disciples respond with various answers, but then Jesus asks them directly,

"But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

 It is Peter who boldly declares, "You are the Messiah."

 This moment is pivotal and profound.

It marks a turning point in the disciples' understanding of who Jesus truly is.

Yet, as we read further, we see that understanding the identity of Jesus is not enough.

Jesus begins to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Peter, unable to comprehend this, rebukes Jesus.

But Jesus, in turn, rebukes Peter, saying,

"Get behind me, Satan!

You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."

 This passage challenges us to consider our own understanding of Jesus and the nature of discipleship.

It calls us to look beyond our human concerns and embrace the divine plan, even when it involves suffering and sacrifice.

 Let me share with you the story of a man named Thomas.

Thomas was a successful architect, known for his innovative designs and ambitious projects.

He had everything he thought he wanted:

a thriving career,

a beautiful home,

and a loving family.

Yet, despite his success, Thomas felt an emptiness inside, a longing for something more.

One day, while working on a new project, Thomas received devastating news.

His wife, Sarah, had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

The prognosis was grim, and the doctors offered little hope.

Thomas was shattered.

The life he had meticulously built seemed to crumble around him.

In his despair, Thomas turned to his faith, seeking solace in the words of Scripture.

He found himself drawn to the passage in Mark, where Jesus speaks of the necessity of suffering and the call to take up one's cross.

These words resonated deeply with Thomas, challenging him to see his situation through the lens of faith.

As Sarah's condition worsened, Thomas devoted himself to caring for her.

He put his career on hold, spending every moment by her side.

It was a time of immense pain and heartache, but also of profound love and connection.

In the midst of their suffering, Thomas and Sarah found a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.

Through this journey, Thomas came to understand the true nature of discipleship.

He realized that following Christ meant embracing the cross, even when it involved great personal sacrifice.

It meant trusting in God's plan, even when it seemed incomprehensible.

As Sarah's health declined, Thomas found strength in his faith and in the support of their church community.

Friends and fellow believers rallied around them, offering prayers, meals, and companionship.

Thomas was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support, a tangible reminder of God's presence in their lives.

In the final days of Sarah's life, Thomas experienced a profound sense of peace.

He knew that she was in God's hands, and that their love would endure beyond this earthly life.

When Sarah passed away, Thomas was heartbroken, yet filled with gratitude for the time they had shared and the lessons he had learned.

Thomas's story is a testament to the transformative power of the cross and the hope that comes from following Christ.

It reminds us that the path of discipleship is not always easy.

It requires us to let go of our own ambitions and embrace the cross.

But in doing so, we find true life and fulfillment in Christ.

As we reflect on the story of Thomas and the words of Jesus, let us be reminded that the journey of faith is a lifelong process.

It is a journey of discovery, of growth, and of transformation.

It is a journey that requires us to continually seek a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him.

We all have or will be given crosses to bear in life.

Crosses uniquely ours, and specifically designed for our plan of life.

These crosses can be used to help us to grow in holiness, in love, in compassion, in forgiveness, in understanding, and maybe even surrender to something bigger than ourselves, God!

But most importantly, these crosses if embraced will always bring us closer to Christ and to eternal life.

 In prayerful conclusion –

May we have the courage to answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" with the same conviction as Peter, and may we follow Him with hearts open wide to the transformative power of the cross.

 

Amen.

Who do you say that I am?

 

 

Who do you say that I am?

Today's Gospel reading presents us with a profound moment in Jesus' ministry, a turning point that challenges us to reflect deeply on our own faith and what it means to truly follow Christ.

Let us explore together the richness of this passage and how it speaks to our lives today.

In the villages of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus poses a question that echoes through the centuries and reaches our hearts even now:

"Who do people say that I am?"

This question is not merely about gathering opinions;

it's an invitation to consider our own relationship with Jesus and the foundation of our faith.

The disciples' initial responses reflect the popular opinions of their time – John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets.

These were all revered figures, men of God who had made a significant impact on the people of Israel.

Yet, Jesus doesn't stop there.

He presses further, asking the more personal and crucial question: "But who do you say that I am?"

This, my dear friends, is the question that each of us must answer in the depths of our hearts.

It's not about what our parents believe, what our friends think, or what society tells us.

It's about our personal encounter with Christ and the relationship we have cultivated with Him.

Peter, in a moment of divine inspiration, declares, "You are the Christ."

This proclamation is the bedrock of our faith.

Jesus is not just a good teacher, a wise philosopher, or a moral example.

He is the Messiah, the Anointed One, the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

But what does it mean to recognize Jesus as the Christ?

This brings us to our first point of reflection: Identity in Christ.

When we acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, we are not simply making an intellectual assent to a theological truth.

We are entering into a transformative relationship that reshapes our very identity.

As St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).

This new identity in Christ calls us to see ourselves and the world around us through the lens of God's love and purpose.

It challenges us to align our thoughts, actions, and aspirations with the will of God.

Just as Peter's declaration marked a turning point in his life, our recognition of Christ should be a continual source of renewal and transformation in our daily lives.

However, the Gospel doesn't end with Peter's proclamation.

Jesus immediately begins to teach about the suffering that awaits Him – rejection, persecution, and death.

This leads us to our second point: The Way of the Cross.

The path of discipleship is not one of earthly glory or comfort.

Jesus makes it clear that following Him means embracing the cross.

This teaching was so shocking that even Peter, who had just proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, took Him aside to rebuke Him.

But Jesus' response is stern: "Get behind me, Satan.

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

This exchange reveals a fundamental truth about discipleship: God's ways are not our ways.

The divine plan for salvation, centered on the cross, often contradicts human wisdom and expectations.

As the great theologian and Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, once said, "The cross exemplifies every virtue."

The cross represents sacrifice, humility, obedience, and love pushed to their ultimate limits.

When Jesus calls us to take up our cross, He's inviting us to participate in this mystery of redemptive suffering.

This doesn't mean seeking out suffering for its own sake, but rather accepting the challenges and trials of life with faith, knowing that God can use even our difficulties to bring about good.

In our modern world, the cross might take many forms.

It could be the struggle to maintain integrity in a corrupt workplace, the patience required to care for an ailing loved one, or the courage to stand up for our faith in an increasingly secular society.

Whatever form it takes, embracing our cross unites us more closely with Christ and allows us to participate in His work of redemption.

This brings us to our third and final point: The Paradox of Discipleship.

Jesus concludes this passage with a teaching that seems to defy logic:

"Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it."

This paradox lies at the heart of Christian discipleship.

The world tells us to put ourselves first, to accumulate wealth and power, to seek comfort and avoid pain at all costs.

But Jesus calls us to a different path – a path of self-denial and sacrifice.

This is not because God wants us to suffer, but because He knows that true fulfillment and joy come from living for something greater than ourselves.

When we "lose our life" for Christ's sake, we're not annihilating ourselves.

Rather, we're allowing our old self-centered nature to die so that we can be reborn in Christ.

We're exchanging our limited, earthly perspective for God's eternal viewpoint.

We're trading temporary pleasures for lasting joy.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, captured this paradox beautifully in his prayer:

"Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess.

You have given all to me.

To you, O Lord, I return it.

All is yours; dispose of it wholly according to your will.

Give me your love and your grace, for this is sufficient for me."

This prayer exemplifies the attitude of a disciple who has fully embraced Christ's call.

It's an attitude of complete trust and surrender, recognizing that true freedom and fulfillment come not from clinging to our own plans and desires, but from aligning ourselves fully with God's will.

As we conclude our reflection on this powerful Gospel passage, let us ask ourselves:

Who do we say Jesus is?

Are we ready to take up our cross and follow Him?

Are we willing to lose our life for His sake and for the Gospel?

These are not easy questions, and the path of discipleship is not an easy one.

But we do not walk this path alone.

Christ Himself walks with us, strengthening us with His grace, nourishing us with His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, and guiding us through His Church and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses – the saints who have gone before us, showing us that this path, though challenging, is indeed possible and infinitely rewarding.

Their lives testify to the truth of Christ's promise that whoever loses their life for His sake will ultimately save it.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, let us renew our commitment to Christ today.

Let us embrace our identity as His disciples, take up our crosses with courage and faith, and live out the beautiful paradox of the Gospel.

For in losing ourselves, we will find life in abundance – life eternal in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May God bless you and keep you always in His love.

Amen.

Purity of Heart

 

Homily on Mark 7:1-23: "Purity of Heart"

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, we reflect on a challenging passage from the Gospel of Mark.

This scripture invites us to examine the true nature of holiness and what it means to live a life pleasing to God.

The scene opens with the Pharisees and some scribes confronting Jesus.

They've noticed that his disciples are eating with "defiled" hands – that is, they haven't performed the ritual washing prescribed by tradition.

This might seem trivial to us, but for the religious leaders of the time, it was a serious matter.

Jesus, however, sees beyond the surface issue.

He recognizes an opportunity to address a deeper spiritual problem.

He quotes the prophet Isaiah, saying,

"This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines."

With these words, Jesus exposes a fundamental misunderstanding about the nature of true holiness.

The Pharisees had become so focused on external observances that they had lost sight of what truly matters to God – the condition of our hearts.

Jesus goes on to explain that nothing going into a person from the outside can defile them.

Instead, it's what comes out of a person that defiles them.

He lists a catalog of vices that originate from within:

evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.

This teaching challenges us to look inward.

It's easy to focus on external practices and rituals, isn't it?

We might pride ourselves on never missing Mass, always saying our prayers, or following all the rules of fasting.

These are good practices, certainly, but Jesus is reminding us that they are not enough if our hearts are not right with God.

True holiness, Jesus teaches, begins from within.

It's about allowing God's grace to transform our hearts, minds, and souls.

It's about cultivating virtues that counter the vices Jesus mentioned –

love instead of hatred,

generosity instead of greed,

humility instead of arrogance,

truth instead of deceit.

This message would have been shocking to Jesus' audience.

The entire system of ritual purity, deeply ingrained in Jewish culture, was being called into question.

Jesus was not abolishing the law, but he was certainly reinterpreting it in a radical way.

He was calling his followers to a higher standard – not just outward compliance, but inward transformation.

So what does this mean for us today?

How do we apply this teaching to our lives?

First, we need to recognize that the temptation to focus on externals is still with us.

We might not worry about ritual hand-washing, but we can easily fall into the trap of thinking that as long as we're following the rules, we're okay.

Jesus is calling us to go deeper.

Second, we need to take seriously Jesus' warning about the things that come from within.

How often do we excuse our negative thoughts or attitudes, thinking they don't matter as long as we don't act on them?

Jesus is telling us that these internal dispositions are the real source of sin.

We need to be vigilant about what we allow to take root in our hearts.

Third, we need to cultivate a spirituality of the heart.

This means developing a deep, personal relationship with God through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reception of the sacraments.

It means allowing God's grace to penetrate every aspect of our being, transforming us from the inside out.

Fourth, we need to remember that true holiness will always manifest itself in love for others.

If our religious observances aren't making us more loving, more compassionate, more forgiving, then we've missed the point.

As St. Paul reminds us, we can have all the external trappings of religion, but if we don't have love, we gain nothing.

Fifth, we need to be careful about elevating human traditions to the level of divine commandments.

While traditions can be valuable and meaningful, they should never become more important than the core teachings of Christ.

We must always be ready to examine our practices in the light of the Gospel.

Lastly, we need to approach this teaching with humility.

It's easy to hear Jesus' words and think about how they apply to others – those "Pharisees" in our midst who seem overly concerned with rules and regulations.

But the real challenge is to apply these words to ourselves.

How am I allowing God to transform my heart?

How am I growing in true holiness?

As we leave here today, let's carry with us this challenging message from Jesus.

Let's commit ourselves to a faith that goes beyond externals, a faith that allows God's grace to penetrate to the very core of our being.

Let's strive for a holiness that manifests itself in love, compassion, and service to others.

May God give us the grace to hear this word, to take it to heart, and to live it out in our daily lives.

And may our worship be not just with our lips, but with hearts fully devoted to God.

Amen.