Sunday ReadingsCommentary and Reflections

27th Sunday in the Ordinary Time BOctober 4, 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: Genesis 2:18-24 18 The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to

be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." 19 So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. 21 So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, 23 the man said: "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken." 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

The focus is on the relationship between husband and wife.

Textual Context of Genesis 2:18-24

Outline of Genesis 1-11:1. Gen 1,1--2,4a The creation of the world2. Gen 2,4b--3,24 The creation of man and woman and the expulsion from paradise3. Gen 4,1-16 Cain and Abel4. Gen 4,17-26 The Cainites5. Gen 5,1-32 The succession of generations in the primeval period6. Gen 6,1-4 The sons of the gods and the giants7. Gen 6,5--8,22 The flood8. Gen 9,1-17.28-29 Blessing and covenant9. Gen 9,18-27 Noah and his sons10. Gen 10,1-32 The table of the nations11. Gen 11,1-9 The Tower of Babel12. Gen 11,10-26 The Genealogy of Sem

General Parts

Part I Gen 1-11 Primitive History

Part II Gen 12-50 Patriarchal History

1st reading: Genesis 2:18-24

18 The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him."

1st attempt (failed) 19 So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild

animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

2nd attempt (successful) 21 So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and

while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, 23 the man said: "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken." 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

A simple outline!

1st reading: Genesis 2:18-24 18 The LORD God said: "It is not

good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him."

1st attempt (failed) 19 So the LORD God formed out of

the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

2nd attempt (successful) 21 So the LORD God cast a deep

sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, 23 the man said: "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken.“24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

Commentary In v.18, God plans to make a partner

for the man. Vv.19-20 appear to be God’s failure in

providing a partner for the man, in reference to v.18.

In v.19, God brings all the animals to the man to name them (as to have control over them).

V.20 says, “None is a suitable partner for him.”

In v.21, God tries again, by putting him to deep sleep and taking out one of his ribs. (a figure of speech)

In v.22, God builds the woman and introduces her to the man.

In v.23, the man recognizes her as his own, “bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh.” (They belong to each other.)

V.24 explains the reason why in marriage a man leaves his parents to be with his wife.

The husband and wife becomes one.

Commentary, con’t

Hebrew mentality recognizes the genders, male and female.

The text tries to explain the origin of the marital relationship, although in the textual context, the relationship is created in view of work (to till and keep the land).

Marital relationship must be seen as a partnership (helping each other).

Anyone entering into this relationship must be prepared to work (to be productive).

The man (male) must be responsible. The woman (female) must help.

Both are expected to work together.

Reflections on the 1st reading Marriage is not just for companionship

(and procreation), but also for work. The man becomes independent from

parents, to work with his wife. The wife must help her husband. The married man must stop fooling

himself by remaining dependent on his parents.

Come on, man, be a man, not a boy or parasite!

Resp. Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R. (cf. 5)  May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

1 Blessed are you who fear the LORD,who walk in his ways!2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;blessed shall you be, and favored.

3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vinein the recesses of your home;your children like olive plantsaround your table.

4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.5 The LORD bless you from Zion:may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemall the days of your life.

6 May you see your children's children.Peace be upon Israel!

Resp. Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 R. (cf. 5)  May the Lord bless us all

the days of our lives.

1 Blessed are you who fear the LORD,who walk in his ways!2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;blessed shall you be, and favored.

3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vinein the recesses of your home;your children like olive plantsaround your table.

4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.5 The LORD bless you from Zion:may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemall the days of your life.

6 May you see your children's children.Peace be upon Israel!

Commentary The psalmist compliments those

who fear the Lord // walk in God’s ways.– They are blessed, favored.

It is a prayer of/for married people.

They are blessed; they shall eat of the fruit of their labor and be favored by God. Vv.1-2

V.3 gives additional benefits:– Your wife will be fruitful (bear

many children)– You will have many children

V.4 repeats the theme of blessing in v.1.

In v.5, the psalmist wishes the holy man (woman) blessings from Zion/Jerusalem.

In v.6, the psalmist wishes the God-fearing couples long life.

Reflections on the Psalm

God-fearing couples are entitled to receive many blessings.

They will have abundance of food and children.

They will enjoy also the blessing of the city where they dwell.

How blessed is the nation where the couples are responsible.

2nd reading: Hebrews 2:9-11 9 He who "for a little while" was made "lower

than the angels," that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them "brothers."

The focus is on the humility of Jesus.

I. 1:5--2:18 The name superior to the angels (Eschatology)

II. 3:1--5:10 Jesus faithful and compassionate (Ecclesiology)

III. 5: 11--10:39 The central exposition (Sacrifice)

IV. 11:1--12: 13 Faith and endurance (Ecclesiological

paraenesis)

V. 12: 14--13:19 The peaceful fruit of justice (Eschatology).

Textual Context of Hebrews 2:9-11 (Vanhoye)

2nd reading: Hebrews 2:9-11

9 He who "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels," that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them "brothers."

Commentary The text is a reflection on the

humility of Jesus. Jesus, though divine, was

made lowly and experienced death. v.9

Jesus, for whom and through whom all things exist, suffered to make salvation perfect. v.10

Jesus is instrumental in bringing children to heaven. V.11– He consecrates…– He calls us “brothers.”

Jesus saves us in a difficult manner.

Reflections on the 2nd reading

Jesus worked hard for our salvation. Our salvation consists in being brought to

glory. As believers, we should not take our salvation

for granted. Jesus paid a high price for it. We should be appreciative of his willingness to

undergo all kinds of sufferings that we may go back to our origin.

Gospel Reading: Mk 10:2-16 2 The Pharisees approached and asked, "Is it lawful

for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. 3 He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They replied, "Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." 5 But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts 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 flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." 10 In the house the disciples again questioned him about this. 11 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."

Gospel Reading, con’t

13 And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." 16 Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Textual Context of Mark 10,2-16

Part I The Mystery of the Messiah: Revelation of Jesus' Person (1,14--8,30)

Three sections, each beginning with a summary of the activity of Jesus and a narrative concerning the disciples and concluding with the adoption of an attitude in regard to Jesus.

A. Jesus and the Crowds 1,14--3,6 (1,14f, 16-20; 3,60)B. Jesus and his Own 3,7--6,6a (3,7-12.13-19; 6,1-6a)C. Jesus, the Disciples and the Gentiles 6,6b- 8,30 (6,6b; 6,7-31; 8,27-

30)

Conclusion and Transition 8,27-33 Confession of Peter First Prophecy of the Passion Correction of Peter

Part II The Mystery of the Son of Man: Revelation of Jesus' sufferings 8,31-16,8

A. The Way of the Son of Man 8,31--10,52 Indicated by 3 announcements of the fate of the Son of Man and 3

instructions on the lot of the disciples.B. Jesus in Jerusalem 11,1--13,37C. Passion and Resurrection 14,1--16,8 The Later Ending 16,9-20

Mk 9,33 They came to Capernaum.

Jesus was teaching here.

Immediate Context (Mk 9) of our TextTransfiguration First Prediction of the PassionHealing of a Boy with a DemonSecond PredictionGreatest in the KingdomAnother exorcistCauses of SinMk 10MarriageDivorceBlessing of ChildrenThe Rich ManThird Prediction

Commentary

The gospel text is divided into two parts:– Vv.2-12 On Divorce– Vv.13-14 On Children

In the first part, Jesus disapproves divorce, invoking the text in Genesis (1st reading). – Jesus adds that those who divorce and marry again

commit adultery.– A divorcee is not entitled to marry again.

The second part, Jesus shows tenderness to the children. – Again taking the cue from last Sunday’s reading

(children = new converts, new comers), we should take these people seriously for to them belong the kingdom of God.

– We must be childlike to enter the kingdom of God.

Reflections on the gospel reading

Jesus affirms the sanctity of marriage. To do this, he invokes the pre-Mosaic law in Genesis (although Gen itself is Mosaic according to the Jews.)

No human being has the right to separate what God has joined together. No one should foil his plan in marriage.

Divorce or infidelity is a no-no to his followers. It defeats the purpose of God.

Equally important in the gospel is how we treat children in our communities.

These are not useless members, nor are they liabilities.

They represent the excited / fascinated group, eager to learn, to be nurtured and to discover other people.

They qualify for the kingdom of God; they make us qualified to enter God’s kingdom.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading is about marriage, woman being a helper to man.

The psalm praises God-fearing people (couples).

The second reading talks about the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation.

The gospel reading affirms the sacredness of marital relationships and the importance of children.

The preacher may focus on Jesus’ teachings on marriage and

children.

How to develop your homily and sharing

Begin by sharing your observations on married couples and their children. (+ and -)

+ happy to have intimate relationships+ happy to have children

- hard to maintain a family, if you have no job- hard to relate with the partner if he/she is

insecure, emotionally unstable, busy always, always with the barkada (friends)

Then proceed to develop what God demands of married couples based on the readings:

The husband and wife are meant to be together as long as they live.

Married life is not just for procreation, but also for support in work.

Refusing to work defeats the purpose of marriage. (1st reading and gospel).

Like Christ, each one must humble himself/herself and serve / sacrifice for the other (2nd reading).

How do we communicate Christ’s teachings in the midst of the challenges of married life and childcare?

divorce, legal separations, marriage without wanting to have children, too many children, poverty, false teachings on marriage, live in, failure to be intimate, wife / child battering, sexual abuse, low morals, STDs, artificial contraceptives, abortion, etc…

Introduction of non-traditional concepts of marriage / parenthood: same sex marriage, single parenthood, surrogate motherhood. (Cairo Document)Breakdown of family life = breakdown of faith.

Christ’s teachings can be communicated through:– Pre-Cana conferences– Papal encyclicals (Familiaris consortio), Synod

on Family– Family code– Marriage counseling– Good teachings of the Family Life Movements,

Couples for Christ, Pro-Life Movements No to anything that destroys family life and

the well-being of children. No to contraceptive mentality.

In the eucharist, Jesus comes down to us to be with us.

In the eucharist, Jesus comes to strengthen us in our difficulties in building our families and nurturing our children.

Our reception of the eucharist is a sign that we conform to Christ’s teaching on marriage and child rearing.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Live in partners Separated husband

and wife Divorce Abandoned children Child laborers Child soldiers Wife battering Civil marriage Redefinition of a

family Jobless parents

Family life movements

Proper child care Pro-life movements Bantay Bata Catechism Adult catechism Pre-Cana

conferences Working parents Advocacies for

children

Suggested Songs

Glory to God, new– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV9SIPLUDFM

Let Me Live– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxB3dcBMy6U

Wherever you go, by Norbert, OSB God Is Alive

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Y7L0NocBU