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Sunday Scripture Study

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B

October 7, 2012

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Opening Prayer

First Reading: Genesis 2:18-24

Psalm: 128:1-6

Second Reading: Hebrews 2:9-11

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16

Having gone from Galilee “to Judea, beyond the Jordan” (verse 1), Jesus resumes his teaching to his Apostles about discipleship, beginning in verse 13.

He is interrupted, however, by some Pharisees who have a question about the legality of divorce. This may have been an attempt to trap him: John the Baptist, who had been baptizing in that same area (Mark 1:9) had just recently paid with his life for his taking a public stand on the issue of King Herod’s divorce (Mark 6:17-29).

The Pharisees point to Deuteronomy 24:1-4, the Law of Moses, to support their case (verse 3). This piece of legislation was not an actual command to divorce as the Pharisees seemed to interpret it, but as a concession by Moses to the hardheartedness of the culture, where divorce had become taken for granted and women were as a result victimized.

In response to their citing the Scriptures to support the practice of divorce, Jesus reaches even further back into the Scripture (Genesis 1:27, 2:24) to reveal to them God’s original plan for marriage and, amazingly, on his own authority, sets the higher Christian standard for marriage (verses 9, 11-12).

QUESTIONS:

In the Second Reading, when Jesus tasted death for the entire human family, of what was his act representative (Philippians 2:8; Ephesians 5:2; CCC 624)? What is the possible background for the expression “taste death” (see Genesis 3:17-19)?

According to the passages of Genesis to which Jesus alludes in verses 6-8, what are the three characteristics of the marital bond in God’s original plan for marriage? Why can it not be broken by any civil or religious authority? (see also Matthew 5:32, 19:9, and 1 Corinthians 7:10-16)

How might the issue of divorce illustrate hardness of heart? How does acceptance of God’s plan remove hardness of heart? What is the connection between Jesus’ blessing of the children and the prohibition of divorce in verses 11-12?

Does our society teach us to regard some people as having more worth than others (verses 13-16)? Whom do we honor? Whom do we imitate? Why do you think Jesus specifically sought out those who, like children, were powerless? What are some ways in which, you, too, can seek out those most in need?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1603, 1640, 2382-86; 1250-52, 2222

The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other: it is a perpetual exercise of mortification. -St. Francis de Sales

Helps in Spiritual Warfare

Pastor’s Column

27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 7, 2012

Life can at times be a real battle zone! Things can be very peaceful, and then all of a sudden we are in a war-zone, and often we do not see this coming. Fortunately, our faith gives us many tools of spiritual warfare that we can use very effectively! Sometimes, it is precisely when the tasks seem beyond us that the Lord is actually inviting us through the Holy Spirit to let him wage these battles for us, whether we are fighting against sins, worry, crises of all kinds, or every kind of difficulty. Here is a short list of some of the tools God has given us.

Repentance. There are few actions we can take against evil in our lives that are more powerful than a good and sincere confession.

Forgiveness. Holding onto unforgiveness is like swallowing battery acid! Forgiveness is not a feeling. Rather, it consists of three parts: praying for the person who harmed us, not speaking ill of that person to others, and being kind to them if we are near them.

The Word of God. Using scripture effectively means having passages ready to help us when we are down. Why not begin your own list of scripture that help you as you read the bible? Jesus used scripture to do battle against Satan in the desert and we can too.

The Eucharist. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, this is the moment to really thank God and offer him our particular problem. He is there for us in great power. Praying before the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration chapel is very powerful as well.

Calling on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is always ready to assist us if we but remember to ask! A very powerful and quick prayer to use would be “Come Holy Spirit!”

Practicing the Presence of God. This very effective practice involves learning to pray ourselves through the day by remembering that, no matter how we may feel or perceive it, God is always with us, watching over us and helping us. If we can just remember the Lord as we go through the day then many battles will be easier.

Intercessory Prayer. Here we enlist others to pray for us! This includes making use of our prayer chain, asking a favorite saint to pray for us, asking the Mother of God to intercede for us by praying the rosary, praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory (who will in turn pray for us), asking others to pray for us, and asking our relatives and friends who have died to intercede are helps! Often, praying for others instead of ourselves also unlocks many graces.

Praise and Thanksgiving. Giving thanks in all things is the most powerful of prayers in difficult circumstances!

Father Gary