27th SUNDAY

In the light of what people will be hearing in these readings and the realities and problems they stir up, the preacher cannot avoid dealing with the subject of marriage, divorce, and annulments. Here’s a preaching that those who are single need to approach with care, for even with many years in ministry, we still speak as outsiders. With your pastoral experience, church wisdom and the scriptural background, a homily can be prepared that is sure to get attentive listeners! People are sure to appreciate an honest wrestling with the Word on this occasion. Maybe this week’s reflection will help with the background and context – you add to the mix your own experience and wisdom.

The First Reading: There are two creation stories in Genesis, this one is the second. In the first (1: 1-2:4), the man and woman are created in one act – they are called Adam. But in this second account, the man is created first. The woman is created from the man’s own body. This is not a creation story of subordination by sequence and priority – the man first, then the lesser woman. This is a story of deep intimacy between the two. She is not created from his foot so that he would dominate over her; nor is she created from his head, so that she would be over him. She comes from where his heart is.

The animals are already created, and the man has named them, and given dominion over them. However, they are not going to fill his loneliness. God performs a separate act of creation, and the two creatures are in covenant to one another, there is a strong attraction between the two. The two are naked, but since there is not yet sin in the world, there is no shame between them. They do not have to fear the body and there is not sin associated with it. They are “one flesh,” which, in the original language, suggests a new personality. In marriage a new personality is being formed. To achieve this unity, while still respecting the uniqueness and even the idiosyncrasies of each, is a feat of great love and labor.

The Gospel. It is important to capture the spirit of the times in which Jesus lives to help get an understanding of this reading. In Jesus’ world, the families arranged the marriage. Marriage was a way of binding together two families. The couple remained children of the parents and docile to their decisions. Just as children do not choose their parents, God does, neither do they choose their spouses. The view was, that through the parents, God chose the partners in marriage. In his commentary on Jesus’ world, Joseph Pilch shows why divorce would not have been acceptable; it separates two families. In a culture where honor and shame play such important roles, a divorce would bring shame on the bride’s family and the men in her family would be shamed. In this world view, a divorce would not shame the wife, but her male family members. They would have to avenge the insult with resulting feuds and bloodshed. To avoid this tragedy, divorce was forbidden.

The discussion with the disciples adds a complication; the divorced couple might remarry. Mark highlights the situation in which the woman (or her family) might initiate the divorce. The shame on the husband’s family would be froth with dire consequences. And since a woman would not live alone in this society, a divorce necessarily meant another marriage.

Jesus refers to the Law of Moses in response to the Pharisees. They say that Moses permitted a “man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce his wife.” Jesus does not agree. He says Moses “commanded” that such a letter of divorce be written, “because of your hardness of heart.” Moses required this procedure at a time when men would send their wives off for the smallest domestic infraction, like a burnt supper, or because of old age, boredom, or a man’s falling in love with another woman.

Remember, Moses was dealing with an almost illiterate society, so a “written decree” would require a lengthy procedure. And that is what he wanted, a lengthy procedure to make divorce more difficult. Moses was actually protecting the rights of women. The Pharisees tell Jesus Moses “allowed/permitted” a decree of divorce; Jesus disagrees and tells them Moses “commanded it.” Jesus is adding his own teaching. A woman cannot be cast aside so easily as if she were a commodity, once used to bear offspring, now no longer useful. He says their relationship is much more sacred, “the two become one flesh” and no one can separate them, because God has joined them.

Marriage is not doing very well these days. Yet couples are still getting married talking about “till death do us part” – not “until sickness, or old age or a change of careers call for another arrangement.” The marriages I’ve been at are attempts at permanency, a sincere desire to fulfill promises. However, sometimes you get the impression that some of these couples enter marriage as if entering a new state of being, automatically gaining a new identity just by being married. Maybe the preacher will want to stress marriage as a vocation. Even a celibate preacher can speak out of “vocation”, and the hard work and attention such commitments require. To be in a vocation is something one does, one is working at. Getting married does not automatically mean “happily ever after.” No one else entering a serious endeavor just presumes being called an “athlete” or “college student” or “pianist” will guarantee success in that endeavor. But two people enter marriage proceed about their lives thinking the work of coming together was settled during their engagement period. It seems when people do decide to work on their marriage relationship it’s often because they have neglected it in favor of other issues. It’s the people who have made successful marriages who are the ones to ask, and they will tell us how much work was involved.

In the parish where I am currently preaching, they are going to celebrate a Mass this weekend for “pregnant families.” This is a change of language that reveals what becoming “one flesh” might mean; that two begin to think about what it means to retain their individual uniqueness while becoming a new “personality”. You hear it in the language of some married people, “We are pregnant”.... “our children”, “our vacation plans.” “let me check with my husband....my wife.” A new identity is expressed in their ways of thinking and speaking.

In This Issue:

QUOTABLE

JUSTICE

FAITH BOOK

DEATH ROW

DONATIONS

RESOURCES

ARCHIVE

We are called to recognize that other living beings have a value of their own in God’s eyes.

– Pope Francis,
Laudato Si’ (69)

Each October, the Church in the U.S. celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. Realizing the interconnectedness of all life, perhaps this year, as we conclude the Season of Creation on October 4^th, we can begin to include how a biodiverse world is a healthy world and, include in our prayers, our commitment to protect and defend life in the natural world also.

The theme of the 2024 Season of Creation – To Hope and Act with Creation -- calls us to pray in hope for the healing of the earth. According to the Season of Creation website, the verse brings to mind “the Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth.”

“We are each called by God to be that light of Christ that breaks through the darkness. We are called to be his disciples, continually transformed by our encounter with him and sharing in his mission. Jesus came that we might have life.” I Came So That They Might Have Life | Respect Life.

“Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. While Earth’s biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered, many species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities, putting the Earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk.” To reflect more deeply, go to: Biodiversity (nationalgeographic.org).

Walking with Moms in Need is a process by which Catholic parishes and communities “walk in the shoes" of local pregnant and parenting women in need to better support them. Join the Cathedral team, led by Christine Dennis, by contacting socialconcern@hnojnc.org.

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

Jesus not only shows his affection for children, but he takes advantage of the moment to speak on behalf of society’s most vulnerable members which, in the light of the context, would not only include children, who had no legal status, but divorced women as well. In Jesus’ statement against divorce he followed his usual pattern of protecting the poor and most vulnerable members of society.

“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out."

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.

Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.

For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/ - On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/

“First Impressions” is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, send a note to Fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org.

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If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy.

1. "HOMILÍAS DOMINICALES" ---These Spanish reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are written by Dominican sisters and friars. If you or a friend would like to receive these reflections drop a note to “Fr. John J. Boll, O.P.” <preacherexchange@att.net>

2. “VOLUME 2" is an opportunity for you to hear from the readers of First Impressions. To subscribe or Send your own reflections: Send them to “Fr. John J. Boll, O.P.” <preacherexchange@att.net > Your contributions to Volume 2 are welcome.

https://www.PreacherExchange.com - Where you will find Preachers Exchange, which includes “First Impressions,” “Homilias Dominicales,” and “Volume 2" as well as articles, book reviews, daily homilies and other material pertinent to preaching and Scripture reflection.