27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, REFLECTION Sunday´s Gospel

The two shall become one to become three

(Fr. James McTavish)

Gen 2:18-24 Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 Heb 2:9-11 Mark 10:2-16

A husband was talking to his wife. He said, “After putting up with you all these years I should be proclaimed a Saint.” “And I, a martyr!” responded his wife. Today’s readings talk about the beautiful institution of marriage, where God deigned that “the two become one flesh” or as one modern author noted, bearing in mind that the usual fruit of love is life, “the two shall become one to become three.” The fruit of love is life - that is where no artificial blocks are placed between love and life. Bonding usually results in babies except in a world where contraception means we want a bonding without babies and IVF gives us babies without bonding.

In general, “it is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). After God had made woman, man made that famous exclamation of admiration and beauty: “This one is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” Maybe for the modern fan of Barbara Cartland, this does not sound too romantic. But it is the Hebrew equivalent of saying “Wow, she is gorgeous and the one for me!” Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh means someone who is intimately related to me, literally a part of my very being who I want to be with me as long as I am in existence. This introduces us into the notion of the marriage bond and covenant where the man and woman leave their mother and father and become one flesh.

Nowadays it seems quite easy to become one flesh with whomsoever you fancy. What a sad situation when what is presented as “normal” is in fact rather abnormal. Sex is sold as a commodity, precocious sexuality is encouraged - dear oh dear where are we going? Sexuality is a precious gift but also quite a powerful one. It is like a strong flowing river. If the river is directed in the right way it can generate much life, giving oxygen to fish and aquatic life, nourishing plants and trees served by it and providing invaluable water for local residents to drink or bathe with. When our sexuality is well-oriented it generates much life. However when the banks of the river break chaos ensues. Here in Manila the banks of the Marikina River burst. The river which previously gave life turned into a killer. Houses, cars and even human lives were swept away like leaves. Human sexuality, when it is disordered and not used according to its ultimate purpose, destroys lives. You only have to listen to those who have engaged in adultery to discover the chaos they have caused and the brokenness they feel.

The sacramental bond of marriage gives strength to the union between man and woman. Some do not believe in the sacrament anymore. Perhaps they have lost faith in love itself. But the sacramental bond gives strength and unity to the marriage. How beautiful the testimony of fruitful married love when it is correctly understood and lived out. As Jesus said, “Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." Mutual respect, dialogue and of course forgiveness help so much. To be able to say “I am sorry.” Only three words... but not so easy to say sometimes. Faithful married love is a concrete sign of God’s faithful love for the world of today. Faithful love is always fruitful. Even infertility is not a barrier to fruitfulness. True love will bear fruit in front of all obstacles. Like a couple I know who could not have children of their own but their love bears the fruit of joy in all they meet. Even the physical infertility could not stop them bearing fruit in the form of adopting a beautiful child. Truly it is selfishness and pride that often makes love sterile.

And children themselves can do much to help the environment in the household. Before when I was working I would give material goods to my family as a sign of my love for them. But now as a missionary priest I have no money! They have to help me and they are so kind and generous. But what I give my family now is the love of Christ. This is a gift that is not just for Christmas but for the whole of eternity!

We close by praying for all the families in the world of today. I pray that all families can live out their wonderful mission to bring God’s life and love to the world. I know one family here in Manila and the whole family is dedicated to this mission. The dad is thinking how to bring more people to know Christ through golf and business, the mum helps out preaching the Word of God and their children are not merely concerned with the usual college student worries but are trying to reach out to many youth who are a bit lost. Hurray for the great Christian example of this family and may they inspire many more to do the same. Amen.

REFLECTION Sunday´s Gospel

For - GIVE - ness

Fr. James McTavish

John Lennon sang a well known song called “Imagine.” Imagine all the people living life as one, yoo hoo ooohh! Imagine if really there was more forgiveness. For sure that would lead to more unity.

Often we believe that forgiveness is very difficult. Is this really true? I remember meeting one lady in Manila. She was telling me “Oh, the teaching of Jesus on forgiveness is very hard. To forgive your enemy is very difficult.” She then went on to tell me how she was so angry with her enemy. I asked her who it was and she told me it was her own brother. He had not paid a debt to her for many years. The woman was grinding her teeth and admitted that she could not sleep but told me that the situation was not really bothering her. Of course I was surprised on asking her how long it had been going on for and she said more than 5 years. What is more difficult? To forgive another or to experience 5 years of hatred, grinding your teeth and not sleeping? What is actually hard is not the teaching of the Gospel but our heads! Our hearts! That is what is hard. We are hard headed and hard of heart.

What is needed often is to lower pride and admit we are wrong. It reminds me of an archery competition in Medieval England. The first archer had to shoot a water melon off a man’s head at 50 yards. He was successful and announced “I am Robin Hood.” Round two was more difficult – an apple. The successful archer declared “I am William Tell” another famous archer. For the third and final round and a prize of 50 gold coins the winner had to shoot a grape off of man’s head. A contestant came forward and reassured all that his vision was fine despite his thick glasses. His arrow ended up in the eye of the man. “I am sorry” he declared. It is not easy to admit our mistakes even when we are obviously wrong. Often we can try to justify and defend. This can be the sin of pride.

Jesus really challenges Peter in the gospel of today to be more forgiving (see Matt 18, 21-35). Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words we have to be people who are good at forgiving others. Now obviously this is not so easy if we do not experience being forgiven ourselves. Jesus makes a strong point in the parable he tells his disciples about forgiveness. A King decided to settle the accounts of his servants. One of them owed him a fortune. Unable to pay he would have to be sold along with his wife, children and all his property. At this the debtor fell down and begged for mercy “Be patient with me and I will pay you back in full.” The King was moved with compassion and forgave him the debt.

When that servant left, he found a fellow servant who owed him a small amount and started to throttle him. He would not accept his pleas of mercy and instead had him thrown in prison. The other servants complained to the King who was furious. He called our man back and said “'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.” Then Jesus delivers the punch line or killer blow to Peter! “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart."

It is a call to each one of us to live forgiveness. Are you holding a grudge against someone or are we living with rancor in our hearts? The first reading from the book of Sirach gives us some good advice and words to ponder over: “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the Lord? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins? If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; of the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults. Avoid strife and your sins will be fewer, for a quarrelsome man kindles disputes, commits the sin of disrupting friendship and sows discord among those at peace” (Sirach 27:30 - 28:9)

As we pray the ‘our Father’ this day, let us pray for the grace to put the words we say into practice: “Our Father...forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Amen.