In the readings for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are invited to reflect on the sanctity and purpose of marriage, as well as the call to childlike faith. Each of the readings brings out a distinct yet interconnected dimension of God’s design for human relationships and communion.
In the first reading from Genesis, we hear the story of God’s creation of woman and the institution of marriage. God sees that it is not good for man to be alone and creates a suitable partner for him. This narrative emphasizes the fundamental truth that human beings are created for relationship and companionship. Man is not complete in isolation; he finds his fulfillment in communion with another.
When God presents the woman to the man, Adam’s response is profound: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” The creation of woman from man’s rib symbolizes the deep unity and equality between man and woman. They share a common origin, and thus, in marriage, they become “one flesh.” The unity of man and woman in marriage is not just a physical union, but a spiritual and emotional one, reflecting God’s own nature as a communion of love. Marriage is meant to be an intimate partnership of life and love, where husband and wife help each other grow in holiness and faithfulness.
In the Gospel, the Pharisees approach Jesus to test Him with a question about divorce. They ask whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. In response, Jesus acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce because of the “hardness of hearts,” but He points them back to God’s original intention for marriage as expressed in Genesis. Jesus teaches that from the beginning, God made them male and female, and in marriage, they become one flesh. “Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
Jesus’ words challenge the culture of His time, and indeed, they challenge our contemporary society as well. The permanence and indissolubility of marriage are often questioned, and divorce has become a common recourse. Yet, Jesus reaffirms that marriage is a covenant—a sacred bond that mirrors God’s unwavering love and faithfulness. The marital relationship is meant to reflect the love between Christ and His Church, a love that is self-giving, sacrificial, and enduring. By upholding the sanctity of marriage, Jesus calls married couples to commit to a love that perseveres through challenges and difficulties, a love that is rooted in God’s grace and strength.
The second part of the Gospel offers another powerful image: Jesus’ embrace of children. The disciples, perhaps thinking that Jesus had more important matters to attend to, rebuke the people who were bringing children to Him. But Jesus, “indignant” at their attitude, says, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” What is it about children that makes them models of discipleship? It is their openness, their simplicity, and their trust. Children depend entirely on others and approach the world with a sense of wonder and awe. In the same way, we are called to approach God with humility and trust, recognizing our complete dependence on His love and mercy.
By placing these two themes—marriage and childlike faith—side by side, the Gospel reminds us that authentic love requires both commitment and humility. Just as children trust and rely on their parents, so must spouses rely on God and on each other to sustain and nurture their relationship. Marriage, like faith, calls for a spirit of selflessness and vulnerability. It calls for a heart that is open to giving and receiving love, a heart that is willing to forgive and reconcile.
The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews further deepens this message. It speaks of Jesus, who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels” and who tasted death for everyone. Christ’s suffering and death were acts of supreme love and self-gift. He emptied Himself, becoming one with us in our humanity so that we might share in His divine glory. In marriage, spouses are called to a similar self-emptying love—a love that reflects the self-giving love of Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, let us pray for all married couples, that they may be strengthened in their commitment to each other and to God. May they find in Christ the grace to live out their vocation with faithfulness, joy, and perseverance. And may all of us, whether married or single, learn to approach God with childlike hearts, trusting in His love and relying on His grace to guide us through the journey of life.