27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Genesis 2:18-24 Hebrews 2:9-11 Mark 10:2-16
Last Wednesday the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality opened in Rome. The theme of the Synod is “For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”. As we read our Gospel today we might be forgiven for thinking that the very issues which affect our Church today have existed from the beginning and not much has been changed or issues resolved.
Many see Pope Francis in the place of the Lord and, in many ways, he is. But the Pope has called on the Synod to try, by participation, to resolve, iron out, clarify and explain the issues of today’s Church whereas it was Jesus, alone, who was being confronted by aggressive and prejudiced Pharisees.
In his opening address to the Synod the Pope reminded us that “the Church is constantly on a journey that mirrors the Mission God has set before His people since the time of the apostles”. The Pope assures us that it is the Holy Spirit who “bends stubborn hearts and wills and guides the steps that go astray”.
We must acknowledge that we have ‘stubborn hearts and wills and that many have gone astray’. Our precise issues may not be exactly like the Scribes and Pharisees who confronted Jesus but they do underline how similar is our human condition. These Scribes and Pharisees were trying to catch Jesus out in order to justify their own behaviour and prejudices. For them it was not so much about marriage, but about their own rights as men! Women were not allowed to divorce. Men could do so at a whim. They confronted Jesus to further their own interests and to show their superiority over women. Jesus pointed out just why Moses allowed divorce – because they were ‘so unteachable’. Grave injustices and sinfulness in the unions existed. So, Jesus speaks of the dignity and equality of women and respect for all, regardless of gender. Debates which are going on in the Church today have many similarities to the issues in the Gospel reading.
When considering how to handle marriage breakdown and separation the most important aspect of it is the dignity of those involved, their rights, their contentment and happiness. When these things are taken really seriously and when the sanctity of Marriage is regarded as of paramount importance, then we can look at all marriage breakdown issues with Faith and Charity. The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Nichols, addressed the situation with great compassion and understanding: “One of the great issues is to see: what is the pattern of conversion for the people who have experienced failure in their marriage and have found a precious new partner. ‘Divorced people’ are not a category – they are people on a pilgrimage like all of us”.
The Synod on Synodality emphasises our togetherness. Pope Francis told the bishops that the involvement of the Laity in this Synod enhances their role as shepherds and underlines the shared Mission that God had set before His people. We are all invited to Communion with the Synod and to Participate in Spirit. The Pope declared: “We are here as beggars of God’s mercy”.
The final paragraph of the Gospel today deals with another family matter – children. Jesus exalts them to the role of model for all of us. It is their innocence and their simplicity which brings them close to God and to whom the Kingdom of God belongs.