27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Genesis 2: 18-24
2. Psalms 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
3. Hebrews 2: 9-11
4. Mark 10: 2-16

1. Boning up on marriage
• One day, in the Garden of Eden, Eve looked at Adam and asked "dear, do you still love me?"  To which Adam replied "who else?"
• Do you think that God cares who we marry?
• If He/She cares, how is it that God guides us to that perfect someone?
• What do you think we're supposed to learn from this story of how Eve came to be, distinct from all of the other creatures, even Adam?
2. Justice for all
• In your life, do you feel that you've been able to enjoy the fruits of your labor?
• Do you think that you've enjoyed all of the fruits of your labor, or have you been only able to enjoy some of those fruits?
• Do you think that justice and fairness are one in the same?
• Why or why not?
3. Cosmos, the sequel
• Do you think that creation is over and done with, or is it still unfolding?
• What do you think God's role is in that continued unfolding?
• What do you think our role is?
• Does that make us co-creators with God? 
4. Getting institutionalized
• Do you think that marriage is a sacrament, an institution, or both and?
• What would that "and" be?
• Do you think that people who are not married benefit at all from marriage?
• What sort of responsibilities does that lay on those of us who are married?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I grateful to God for all His gifts, even the ones that I've had for decades?
2. What am I doing to help others be fruitful in their lives?
3. Do I really trust that I am on God's mind all the time?
4. How am I supporting the health of the sacred relationships around me?

I Married Up

People ask me what I attribute 35 years of marriage to.
If I'm feeling flippant, I'll say: "marry early"
And, of course the corollary: "don't either of you die young."

In a more meditative mood, I might be heard to say:
"I married up and I know that."
Equally important is the fact that she hasn't figured that out yet.

Maybe it's because I've learned that she's always right,
And the only thing that differs from one time to the next,
Is how long it takes me to realize that she's right yet again.

Maybe it's just a matter of experience.
She knows that no matter how stressed I am by pressures on me,
I'll eventually find equilibrium, and my own humanity.

Maybe it's the sure knowledge that I'm my best around her,
And that she gives me courage to be my best
Even when it hurts.

Then again, maybe it's the grown realization
When we look deep into each other's eyes
We don't see the person that we married 35 years ago

But eternity emerging right before us.

Shalom!