Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 127
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16
This Sunday there is a choice between a shorter and a longer version of the Gospel for Mass. In the shorter version Jesus responds to a question about divorce. He rejects divorce and describes marriage after divorce as adultery. And the shorter gospel ends there. The longer version continues with the further account of Jesus challenging the disciples for turning away children. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them, he says. “Do not stop them,” do not turn them away.
It would be a pity to hear only the shorter version of the Gospel. Those whose lives are disordered, out of synch with God’s will need to know the Lord will not turn them away either. I was going to write that ‘even those whose lives are disordered need to know…’ But in truth it is especially these who who need to know that the Lord will not turn them away. The Church is charged with continuing the Lord’s ministry of living and healing. How are we doing? How might we do better?