THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE…

Genesis 2:18-24

18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him.
21 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;
22 and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Hebrews 2:9-11

9 But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one.
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Mark 10:2-16

2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?”
4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away.”5 But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.
6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’
7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
8 and the two shall become one.’ So they are no longer two but one.
9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”
10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.
11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her;12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
13 And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.  

MEDITATION

THE BOOK OF GENESIS: After Adams creation outside the garden, God has second thoughts about leaving him alone to work in His garden. Without seeking Adams approval God puts him to sleep and upon his awakening, he is more than ecstatic, surprised and grateful to find a woman companion. Herein we witness Gods divine institution of marriage between one man and one woman. Marriage between ‘one man’ and ‘one woman’ was never defined by any secular or for that matter by any religious institution, it is a God ordained Sacrament that predate mans very recent disordered notions to redefine the state of marriage and family!

THE AUTHOR OF the epistle to the Hebrews reveal an astounding truth that Christs incarnation, death and ressurection is the means how believers shares in Christs divine nature. This revelation presupose that whenever we participate in the sacramental life of the Church and receive the Lords flesh and blood (Jn 6:53-56) in the Eucharist in a state of grace, Christs divine nature glorify our human souls and moves us towards the state of sanctity and holiness! The author posits that we are called brothers and sisters of Christ, precisely because we become one with Him in our sanctified state.

THE GOSPEL READING unequivocally confirms that divorce; the separation of a husband and wife was not part of God’s plan! When Moses ‘allowed’ or permitted divorce, he did not issue a decree, neither did he establish a ‘new’ command, he reluctantly made a concession to appease a stubborn people! St Mark intuitively connect the begetting of children to be the fruit of married life between two parties; ‘one man and one woman’ (Gen 2:23,24) who became one in the Sacrament of marriage! 

Catec 2386 It can happen that one of the spouses is the innocent victim of a divorce decreed by civil law; this spouse therefore has not contravened the moral law. There is a considerable difference between a spouse who has sincerely tried to be faithful to the sacrament of marriage and is unjustly abandoned, and one who through his own grave fault destroys a canonically valid marriage.

Catec 1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority. In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage. This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage; and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party, of preserving his or her own faith and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church.

Couples who intend to marry or who have married outside the Church should approach their local priest for guidance. Moreover couples who are struggling in their marriage should seek urgent help. Retrouvaille is a program run by the laity and a priest to help restore struggling marriages between husbands and wives. Contact your local Catholic Church or diocesan office for more information.

LET US PRAY:Psalms 128:1-6

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.