Breaking the Word

7^th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 26^th February 2022 — Gospel: Mark 10,13-16

Embracing Vulnerability

Children in the ancient world had few rights and essentially no social status. There was no perceptible value in hosting a banquet for a child. Therefore, the disciples obstruct people who bring children to Jesus. Indeed, the proper response is to welcome them. Jesus blesses them, not because they carry sweet images of angelic innocence, but because he has concern for the vulnerable and scorned, for those ripe for exploitation. In fact, the people were bringing their children to Jesus simply to be with him. They weren’t asking for anything but that their children be close to Jesus and be touched by him. They wanted them to have a personal encounter with the Messiah.

In another sense, experiencing the kingdom of God is like welcoming a child; not becoming like a child. Therefore, the statement “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it” (Mk 10,15) could mean to welcome the kingdom like you would welcome a child. So, when Jesus says that the reception of God’s dominion is like embracing a child, he is asserting again that God is not experienced in power but in weakness. Entering God’s dominion is not a way to become first or great but a way to identify with the least and to serve simply for Jesus’ sake. For a selfish and self-centered person, it makes no sense to welcome children or remain faithful in a relationship when temptation beckons. However, from the very beginning God has embraced us in vulnerability and remained faithful, and that’s the good news.

7^th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 25^th February 2022 — Gospel: Mark 10,1-12

Hardness of Heart

In Jesus’ time, a man could divorce his wife for the slightest offense. In order to test Jesus, the Pharisees raised a question. In his response, Jesus answered that the reason why Moses’ law allowed divorce was only for the hardness of their hearts (Deut 24,1). A “hardened heart” is an attitude that is stubbornly self-centred. The Old Testament uses the term “stiff-necked,” describing someone who refuses to look around (Deut 9,6; 31,27; Neh 9,16-17.26). This attitude of “hard heartedness” is always directed at God and His will.  Therefore, Jesus asserted that people have corrupted God’s definition of marriage. The sin of men who treat their wives unfairly started with the sin of not valuing God’s Word and His plan for humanity (Mk 10,7-9).  Malachi, the last of God’s prophets, records God’s condemnation of the Israelites for dishonouring their wives (Mal 2,13-16). God intended the wife to be a companion, a covenant-holder, a partner in raising children. To be married is to have “a portion of the Spirit in their union” (Mal 2,15).