James D. McBurney, O.S.A.
Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate
Radnor, Pennsylvania
Readings
Gen 2:18-24
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Heb 2:9-11
Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12
Created for relationship with God and one another
How often is God seeking to awaken us to life, to love, to God’s presence in and around us? An “awakening” is happening in our first reading today. Back to that in a moment.
During the month of October, the Church invites us to reflect on the sacredness and dignity of life, from the moment of conception to the natural end of one’s life. On this Respect Life Sunday, we pray for all who strive to promote and protect the gift of life, especially the lives of the unborn and the elderly.
The readings offered to us today remind us, in particular, that we who are made in the image and likeness of God are created for relationship with God and one another. This is clearly expressed in the first reading from the book of Genesis: “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Consider all the relationships that are part of your life. Do we not go about daily life mindful of these relationships, whether it be our spouse, our children, our parents, siblings, neighbors, friends, or those with whom we work? Relationships form us and shape how we relate to one another. It is good to occasionally pause and remember the importance of all these relationships in our lives and how we are called to nurture and care for one another.
The first reading today is one often read at weddings. I am drawn to the part of this reading where God casts a deep sleep on the man, and while the man is asleep, something is happening, something new is unfolding. When the man “awakens,” he discovers the gift of a partner. The reading goes on to say: “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Awakenings! What a beautiful image for our reflection. There are implications here not only for married couples to ponder as they begin married life together, but for all of us. I often share in a wedding homily my hope that the couple about to exchange vows will be open to the possibility of many “awakenings” that God might have in store for them which can lead to a deepening of their love for one another. What about us? God continually invites us to be awakened to God’s love and goodness, so often revealed to us in the many relationships that are part of our lives. Are we open to experiencing and receiving that love, especially in and through those who might think differently from us?
Let me offer a thought from the spiritual author Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, to guide our reflection:
“God comes in every voice,
behind every face,
in every memory,
deep in every struggle.
To close off any of them
is to close off the possibility
of becoming new again ourselves.”
Strengthened this day by God’s word and the Bread of Life, may our hearts be open to the awakenings God may be preparing for each of us!
