Daily Gospel Reflection for October 6, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Kathryn Mulderink

Today's Gospel: Mark 10:2-12

For perspective on this Gospel about marriage and divorce, it is helpful to note that by the time of Christ, the institution of marriage had been largely destroyed by elaborations and contortions of the Mosaic Law. It was easy for a man to divorce his wife (for trivial reasons that were interpreted as serious ones, like raising her voice or cooking a bad meal) but much more difficult for a woman to divorce her husband. Women were not always valued as persons, but often seen more as property. Christ came to change this and return us back to God’s original vision.

The Pharisees try to “trap” Jesus by asking Him about the lawfulness of divorce. Jesus goes right back to Moses (the Law they cling to with such rigidity) and says that law was written “because of the hardness of your hearts.” In other words, this devaluation of marriage was already an issue during Moses’ time, and the regulations for divorce were intended to protect marriage from complete degeneration.

Jesus has come to reestablish the communion between God and humanity, and the right relationship between man and woman, which was destroyed by sin. So he holds up the original vision of man and woman sharing equally in the dignity of being created in God’s image, of the permanent and exclusive union of marriage, two becoming one because they are joined by God himself through their free consent.

“Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

He holds up this vision of human love before it was muddied and compromised because of selfishness, lust, and sexism. In the Kingdom, we are created to serve one another in selfless love, to become a gift, for the glory of God and the good of others.

Ponder:

In what ways has the culture of convenience, comfort, and compromise seeped into my own understanding of the gift of being man and woman, and the meaning of self-giving love?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, in a world that has become deaf and blind to the brilliant radiance of the life of grace, help me to be a prophet simply by living my vocation with joy.

Copyright 2024 Kathryn Mulderink

Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is mother of seven, grandmother of eight, and president of the local Secular Discalced Carmelites. She has published five books. Over 30 years, she has worked in school and parish administration, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church as a DRE, writer, and speaker, helping others encounter Christ. www.KathrynTherese.com