052 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128: 1-6; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10: 2-16

Homily Theme

Blessings

One of my earliest memories after being ordained to the priesthood was when a little child asked me to bless his rosary. I wanted to make sure that this five year old boy understood what a blessing would do to it. He smiled at me and said, God will have touched it. I had just arrived in the USA after being ordained in Rome. I was blessed by his response. I have never forgotten that boy’s answer.

The word, Blessed really stands out in the readings this week. Whenever I see or hear the word blessed, I replace it in my mind with the word touched. I think of it as God touching us in a very real way. When we bless ourselves we touch ourselves as we make the sign of the cross. When the priest consecrates the bread and wine, he touches it as he says the words of blessing. God touches it and changes it into His Body and Blood at that moment. It is the ultimate blessing.

In the Psalm we are told those who walk in God’s Ways shall be Blessed when they say “Yes” to His Ways. This means we are blessed when we seek His Will in all things. It speaks of a wife being a fruitful vine with children around her table. God’s plan for humanity is to be a loving family which says “Yes” to life. In the Gospel today, Jesus reminds us that what God has joined together no man can put asunder. Marriage is a sacred covenant bound forever until death.

In our modern world today, many couples are trying to live together without a Sacramental Marriage; many others are disregarding the teachings of the Church on divorce, contraception and abortion; then they wonder why they are not at peace. Jesus says today in the Gospel, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” But many do prevent them from being born, even though God wills it. Millions of babies are aborted and the world is cursed by such destruction of lives that God has blessed into life.

This Sunday be more aware of the blessings in the Readings at Holy Mass. Be aware of the blessing as you touch yourself with your hands as God Blesses you with His. Be more aware of the consecration of the bread and wine as God touches it through the hands of the priest. As you listen to the first Reading this Sunday be aware of God touching Adam and Eve into life. Be aware that God touched you into life and your parents let you live. Amen!l