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September 28, 2021Sunday Scripture Readings for the Month of October, 2021
Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time—October 3, 2021 Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128:1-2,3,4-5,6; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10: 2-16
One of the fundamental precepts of Scriptural interpretation is that the Old Testament points to the New in which it finds the fulfillment of the Old. Each Sunday the Church provides us with readings that embody this fundamental precept. Next Sunday’s readings provide us with one of the clearest examples of this, as Christ Himself directs attention to what God intended for us ‘in the beginning.’ While in the discussion with Jesus the Pharisees focused on marriage and divorce, Jesus’ response pointed them to a more fundamental understanding of who we were created to be. So as we look back to the Genesis reading with that context, we can see in the opening line, “It is not good for man to be alone. . .” that we were made for relationship both with each other and with the God our creator. Regardless of our state in life, whether married or single or consecrated religious, our human essence and identity is that of children of God. While both the Genesis reading and the Gospel passage focus on the marriage relationship, the Second Reading from Hebrews serves (as the Second Reading often does) as a lesson from one of the apostles as to how to live the Gospel in our daily lives. In reminding us of the humanity of Christ, St. Paul highlights the reality that as we seek to enter into relationship with Christ and the Father who created us all, we acknowledge that we do so as God’s children. We should recognize that we are to act as sisters and brothers, bound together in one family, the Body of Christ. God our creator called us to be family for one another as people made for relationship. He recognized that one of the greatest threats we might face is loneliness, which is a condition devoid of meaningful relationship.
Jesus was sent to earth to show us the model of relationship we were created for, one marked by unconditional love, self- giving, mercy and forgiveness. From the beginning we were created for love. It is God’s greatest gift, one that has the power to transform our daily lives and allow us to live a life of peace and joy with ourselves and one another. Let us strive to eliminate loneliness, our own and that of others, by reaching out in love with the joy, innocence and devotion of the children of God that we are. It was God’s plan from the beginning and it finds it fulfillment in the person of Christ, who taught us the way to return to the Father’s loving embrace in the Kingdom of God.
For further reflection on God’s plan for marriage, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1601-1620, 1644.- God’s plan for each of us is to join Him in the Garden of Eden, where He promises to care for us as His own children. What can I do to put aside my worldly desires and place greater trust in His love and mercy and to seek to live out His desire for me to be united to Him?
- As Catholic Christians we are born into a new life in Christ. As we seek to grow stronger in communion with Christ, what can we do to be in better and stronger communion with our sisters and brothers? What can I do to grow stronger in my Christian life?
- Loneliness can lead to darkness. We are called to be light, which overpowers the darkness. What might I do to reach out and overcome loneliness? In myself? In my family? My community? My parish?
- We are given life by God the Father. We are redeemed by the sacrifice of the Son. We walk in the grace of the Holy Spirit. What can I do to share these grace-filled gifts more abundantly with those around me?
