10062024_27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce. Jesus explained that although Moses allowed divorce because of people's hard hearts, God's plan was for a man and woman to become one and not be separated. He also said that divorcing and remarrying is like committing adultery. Jesus welcomed children and said that God's kingdom belongs to those who are like them. Reflecting on this, the person struggles with loving their enemies but wants to trust Jesus and follow his teachings for true happiness. 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, October 6th, 2024 Gospel Mark 10 verses 2 to 16 and Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? He answered them, What did Moses command you? They said, Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to put her away. But Jesus said to them, For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. And he said to them, Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them. And the disciples rebuked them. 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. Truly I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them. Summarized Some Pharisees asked Jesus if it was okay for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus asked them what Moses said, and they replied that Moses allowed divorce. Jesus explained that this was because of people's hard hearts. But God's original plan was for a man and woman to become one, and no one should separate them. Later, Jesus told his disciples that divorcing and marrying someone else is like committing adultery. People also brought children to Jesus, but the disciples tried to stop them. Jesus became upset and said to let the children come, because God's kingdom belongs to those who are like them. He then blessed the children. Reflections 1. What teachings of Christ am I struggling with now? Can I trust him enough to follow, even if I don't fully understand? What teachings of Christ am I struggling with now? I'm struggling with loving my enemies. It's hard for me to forgive people who hurt me, but Jesus asks us to love and forgive, just like he does. 2. I remember how I trusted my parents as a child and waited for their gifts. I ask God to help me trust him the same way, knowing his teachings will bring me true happiness. 3. Can I trust him enough to follow, even if I don't fully understand? Yes, I want to trust him. Even if I don't see how forgiving others will help, I believe Jesus knows the way to true peace and happiness.