October 3, 2021 - The Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
October1,2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The Sacred Scriptures chosen for the Mass this Sunday call us to reverence the dignity of marriage, especially the Sacrament of Marriage. Clearly, marriage has existed from the beginning with the creation of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve. This is beautifully described in the Book of Genesis, which is the first reading this Sunday. In Genesis 2:24 we read: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.” Even after The Fall into the Original Sin by Adam and Eve, God did not take away this holy union between a man and a woman. Nevertheless, it would be more difficult to live out because of the fall from God’s grace. On the other hand, from the moment that Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden of Paradise God gave them hope in the promised coming of the Savior.
Jesus knew well the book of Genesis from His education in the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. He heard it read in the Synagogue from the ancient scrolls. It was quoted in the home and familiar among the people of God. That is why he quotes from Genesis in His teaching on marriage. What would Jesus add? Himself. Jesus offers to the baptized the presence of Himself in the intimate union of man and woman in Christian marriage properly performed and received. He is present in a covenant of love to assist the Christian couple live out their vows and raise God-loving, God-fearing children. The vocation of Christian marriage is to make the love of Christ present in the love of man and woman and in the Christian home. This type of love is real. It can be felt. It reflects God incarnate, Jesus Christ in our midst.
To assist our families to better know, love, and live the Catholic Faith, this coming week our seminarian Mr. David Mees from St. Patrick Seminary will begin a series of presentations overviewing what we Catholics believe. This program can be a refresher course or an introduction. This is a unique opportunity. The first class is Thursday, October 7 at St. Michael’s Hall at 7pm.
Yours in our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor