GOD’S VISION FOR MARRIAGE

 

Homily for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Biblical Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16

In our today’s world, the institution of marriage faces significant challenges, with rising rates of divorce, broken families, and a growing disregard for the sacredness of the marital bond. Many couples struggle to maintain commitment, opting for convenience or personal satisfaction over sacrifice/self-giving love and treating marriage as a temporary arrangement rather than a lifelong covenant. Infidelity, emotional disconnect, and societal pressures have eroded the foundation of many marriages, leaving families fractured and children vulnerable. But then, our readings for this Sunday come to remind us of God’s original intention for marriage - a union rooted in love, fidelity, and unity.

The first reading takes us back to the story of creation in Genesis, where God, having created the world, observed that something was missing: “it is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). In these words, we discover that humanity is not meant for isolation; we are relational beings. The idea of a “suitable partner” reflects God’s desire for man to have a companion who is equal, complementary, and capable of sharing life’s joys and challenges. It is only in a woman that God found a partner suitable for man. Therefore, all others unions that are not between a man and a woman contradict God’s very design for marital union.

The fact that God formed woman from man’s rib should not be seen as a gesture of subordination, rather, it is a symbolic expression of equality and unity. The man recognized this gift from God, proclaiming, “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). This declaration captures the deep bond of intimacy between man and woman joined together in marriage. The creation of woman from the man’s side signifies that marriage is a union that is meant to be intimate and mutually supportive, where man and woman stand side by side as equal partners, not one above the other.

The line, “That 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), expresses the fundamental truth about marriage. The two become “one flesh,” meaning they are inseparable and are called to a lifelong commitment of love, fidelity, and unity. Marital unions are by their nature, indissoluble. Marriage is not just a human institution; it is a divine calling, and it is a reflection of Christ’s covenantal love for the Church as the author of the letter to the Hebrews pointed out in the second reading. In marriage, the spouses are invited to reflect the love of Christ - a love that is sacrificial, selfless, and life-giving.

The Gospel reading continues this theme of marriage and even takes it a bit further. The passage was on Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees who came to test him on the topic of divorce. They asked him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus responded by pointing back to the very passage we heard in Genesis, reminding them of God’s original intention for marriage: “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female… So, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mark 10:1-12).

Jesus clarified that Moses allowed divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts, but this was never part of God’s plan. Here, Jesus spoke of the sacredness of marriage as a divine covenant, one that should not be broken by human decisions. In saying this, Jesus restored the dignity and sanctity of marriage, affirming that it is a union that reflects the very love and fidelity of God himself. But this Gospel is not just about rules. At its heart, it is about love, faithfulness, and commitment. Jesus’ words challenge us to see marriage as a covenant rather than a contract, as a lifelong bond rather than a temporary arrangement. It calls on couples to love one another deeply and selflessly, as Christ loves the Church.

Finally, Marriage, as intended by God, is not just a human arrangement but a sacred covenant that reflects God’s unbreakable bond with his people. It is a vocation that requires sacrifice, faithfulness, and love, but it is also a source of immense joy, growth, and blessing. Let us keep in mind that God’s plan for human relationships- whether in marriage, family, or community -is one of unity, love, and grace. May this reflection inspire us to cherish the gift of marriage, to uphold its dignity, and to strive for the selfless love that Christ exemplifies.