27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B - October 4, 2015

The Problems Families Face

The term “family” may be flexible in modern times, but the stresses that families face are timeless. Families are based upon relationships and, of course, relationships can fail. Despite dangers, families can survive if they take the advise of Jesus. Respect the spouse, respect children.

MP3 PODCAST In this week’s audio podcast, we address the problems today’s families face. Families can suffer from divorce, ill health or financial distress. Some families are split by choice or by distance. Questions faced by today’s families are not unlike those Jesus addressed in Mark’s gospel.

FIRST READING The book of Genesis tells us about our origins. Not necessarily our physical origin, but our moral origins. At the root of those origins is the institution of marriage: two people becoming one flesh.

PSALM Psalm 128 was a song of blessing for the married pilgrim. It is a hymn all married people would like to see in their lives.

SECOND READING The letter to the Hebrews addressed salvation in the sweep of history. The author asserted that Jesus was the focal point of this history. He is our High Priest, interceding for us before the Father.

GOSPEL Jesus preached on the family, especially the problem of divorce and the care of children. Divorce was not a matter of convenience. Neither were children. Marriage and family need care. Our relationships and our offspring should not be subject to arbitrary choices.

CHILDREN’S READINGS In the story for the first reading, Jody liked her new friend Abigail, but did not like to go to her house. Abigail’s mother did not call Jody by name. Names are important, for they tell us where we fit in. Adam called Eve “woman” to give her a place in the world. In the story of the gospel, Mr. Gardner and Mrs. Smith got in a fight over two girls living in the neighbor. Mrs. Smith didn’t think much of the girls, just because they were children. Mr. Gardner, like Jesus, said the children were very important.

CATECHISM LINK In this week’s Catechism Link, we discuss God the Father, creator of all things.

FAMILY ACTIVITY This week, consider the fragile nature of families. Place this fragility before God in prayer. Share that prayer with others.