St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Trusting in God’s plan for our lives

 In today’s Gospel, (Mark 10:2-16 ), the Pharisees question Jesus about divorce. Jesus responds by pointing to God’s original plan in Genesis, reaffirming that marriage is intended to be a permanent and indissoluble union. “What God has joined together, let no one separate,” He declares. Jesus then moves on to bless children, emphasizing the importance of childlike faith and openness to God’s kingdom.

This Gospel speaks directly to contemporary issues surrounding marriage and divorce. Jesus acknowledges the reality of human frailty, but He upholds the high standard of marriage as a lifelong commitment. In a world where relationships can often be treated casually, this teaching challenges us to honor the sacredness of marriage and to approach it with seriousness, commitment, and grace.

In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus shows His love and concern for children, highlighting their importance in the kingdom of God. Just as marriage is a sign of unity, so too is the openness to life and the nurturing of children. The faith of children, full of trust and simplicity, is the model Jesus sets before all His followers.

The readings on this Sunday remind us of the sacredness of human relationships, especially marriage, and the importance of self-giving love modeled after Christ. The challenge for us is to live out our relationships with this same commitment, always seeking to reflect God’s love, and nurturing the spirit of unity, compassion, and respect in all that we do.

Let us pray for the grace to live out our relationships—whether in marriage, family, or community life—in a way that reflects God’s deep love for us. May we, like children, trust in God’s plan for our lives and embrace His kingdom with open hearts.