Gen 2:18-24; Ps 128; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16
God’s Plan
Dear friends, today is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary time. We have seven more Sundays left in this liturgical year B. The message of our readings today is about God’s plan. In Genesis 1:26, we read that both man and woman were created in the image and likeness of God. This means that both man and woman were created from the same source, that by coming together, a man and a woman become one whole.
The first reading explains the creation of woman from man. The author wants to distinguish between the creation of all other beings and that of human beings. In the previous verses of the chapter, the author explains how God created man with his own hands as opposed to other creatures that he just commanded and that existed. This elevates the position of human beings among all other living beings.
In chapter one of Genesis, the author puts the creation of man and woman together, “and God created them in his own image, to the image of God he created them male and female” (Gen 1:27). However, in chapter two that we read today, the author separates the creation of man and woman emphasizes on the importance of each one of them and their roles in the grand plan of God. Man was responsible for all creatures including ‘naming them’ and the woman was responsible for being man’s partner and helper. She was created from man’s flesh making her of the same kind as man. God intended that a man and a woman shall come together and become one flesh to accomplish His plan.
In the Gospel passage, the Pharisees put Jesus to the test about the law of marriage declared in Genesis. Their intention was not to know Jesus’ opinion but to trap him. They wanted to see if he would contradict Moses the great lawgiver hence discredit him to his followers. Moses had permitted men to give a bill of divorce to women and leave them. This was because in this male-dominated culture, women were considered as men’s property. Men were allowed to have more than one wife but women were not allowed to have more than one man. This was and continues to be one of the greatest types of discrimination against women. Women who were left by their husbands were not allowed to remarry and they had no livelihood. Many ended up in prostitution to fend for themselves. By getting a bill of divorce from the husband, Moses intended the woman to be set free and be able to remarry and have someone to take care of her needs.
Jesus replied that it was due to the hardness of their hearts that Moses gave such a law. However, from the beginning, it was not the case because God intended that when a man and a woman are joined in marriage the two would become one and inseparable.
Mark stops this discourse here and jumps to another topic about the virtue of humility that is necessary to attain the Kingdom of God. He gives the humility and the innocence of the little children as a model. However, in the Gospel of Mathew, the disciples are astonished by the reality of Marriage and say it is better not to marry at all. At this, Jesus tells them that marriage is not for everybody because some do not marry for various reasons. Some are born incapacitated, others are incapacitated by men and others choose not to marry for the sake of the kingdom of God (Mt. 19:12). Jesus teaches that getting married or choosing not to get married for the sake of the kingdom of God is a calling from God.
The discrimination women face in many cultures in the world is neither the dictate of nature nor God’s plan, it is purely man-made. Some people even twist the Scripture to justify discrimination against women and the girl child. From the traditions that marry small girls to old men as second, third, and even tenth wife, to inequality in women’s equal rights in society architecture. In some cases, women have been taught that they are subordinate to men in all aspects. In some communities, women are not supposed even to enjoy conjugal rights and so they have their genitalia mutilated in what is commonly referred to as FGM. Those women who manage to fight discrimination and become important figures in society have to use a lot of energy to remain standing. Jesus came to liberate all people from various shackles of captivity including the liberation of women (read Lk 4:18-19). As followers of Jesus, we are called to fight all forms of discrimination in our society.
Polygamy is a manifestation of women’s discrimination and Christianity does not condone it. There is no justification for discrimination of any gender in the Bible. Some unschooled self-ordained Christian preachers who read the Bible like a newspaper have confused many. Men and women are created equal though with different roles in the family. It is not only men who promote Gender parity but women also participate knowingly or unknowingly. By playing subordinate women fail to take their rightful positions in society hence perpetuating the vice.
Fighting discrimination against women and girls child among the community I serve has made me very unpopular. However, I am always motivated by many who continue to transform.
Dear friends, I invite us today to look critically at the question of gender discrimination and see what we can do about it in our own small ways. Let each one start doing something proactive in fighting gender discrimination.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr, Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 