October 3 - One Bread, One Body
October 3, Twenty Seventh Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 128:1-6
2) Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16
Married in the church and in the Trinity
"The two shall become as one. They are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore let no man separate what God has joined.” — Mark 10:8-9
God is three Persons in one God. He is Trinity-Unity. He calls us to be one as He is one (see Jn 17:21). The Trinity made the Church one so that we can share in Trinity-Unity through the Church. Jesus made the two spouses in marriage as one (Mk 10:8) to be a sign of Christ’s love for the Church and of the mystery of Trinity-Unity (see Eph 5:32). Thus, unity with and in God is the meaning and goal of life, the Church, and marriage.
The Trinity, the Church, and marriage go together. We need many holy, united marriages to show us that the Church is to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. In a united Church, we will enter into Trinitarian unity and love. The devil is attacking Christian marriages so as to further damage the unity of the Church and to block our realization of and entry into Trinity-Unity. The Church is also being attacked so that it will poorly pastor Christian marriages and thereby undermine its own mission. This will lead to a further breakdown of the institution of Christian marriage, even further undermining the Church and obscuring and obstructing Trinity-Unity. Therefore, be one in the Church, in marriage, and in the Trinity.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to make me one with You (see Eph 4:3ff).
Promise: “Indeed, it was fitting that when bringing many sons to glory God, for Whom and through Whom all things exist, should make their Leader in the work of salvation perfect through suffering.” —Heb 2:10
Praise: Christ “has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the gospel” (2 Tm 1:10). Praise You, risen Jesus!
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021.
†Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 2021.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.