First Reading
Genesis 2:18-24
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Second Reading
Hebrews 2:9-11
But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Gospel
Mark 10:2-16
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.
Reflection:
Mark 10:2-16 presents two profound teachings from Jesus: the sanctity of marriage and the importance of childlike faith.
Firstly, Jesus addresses the Pharisees’ question about divorce. He emphasizes that marriage is a sacred union designed by God from the beginning of creation. By quoting Genesis, Jesus underscores that marriage is meant to be a lifelong commitment where two individuals become one flesh. This unity is not to be broken by human decision. Jesus’ response highlights that the allowance for divorce given by Moses was a concession due to human hardness of heart, not the ideal intention of God. This teaching calls us to view marriage with reverence and to strive for the love and commitment that reflects God’s original design.
Secondly, Jesus’ interaction with the children provides a powerful lesson on the nature of faith. When the disciples rebuke those bringing children to Jesus, He becomes indignant and insists that the children be allowed to come to Him. Jesus declares that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child. This statement invites us to embrace a childlike faith—marked by trust, humility, and openness. Children depend entirely on their caregivers, and similarly, we are called to depend wholly on God, trusting in His love and guidance.
Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of both our relationships and our faith. In our relationships, especially marriage, we are called to embody the commitment and unity that God intended. In our spiritual lives, we are encouraged to cultivate a faith that is pure, trusting, and humble, like that of a child.