Pre-feast of Theophany. Holy Prophet Malachi. Holy Martyr Gordius.
James 1:1-18; Mark 10:11-16.
Read Mark 10:11-16
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Jesus affirms the indissolubility of marriage in the eyes of God: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery” (Mk. 10:11-12). This teaching is hard for many people to accept today, and it must have been challenging to accept when Jesus first taught it. The bond between a husband and wife is sacred and blessed by God, and the love that they have for each other is an image of the love that Jesus has for us, His Church. We are broken and sinful people, and sin damages our relationship not only with God but also with each other. In our marriages, we must always strive to perfect the love we have for our spouse. God will assist us by His grace.
The gospel reading proceeds to Jesus teaching His disciples that even little children are welcome to come to Him. He taught them that “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no mean enter it,” and then He proceeded to bless the children, taking them up in His arms and laying His hands on them (Mk. 10:15-16). As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Theophany, let us remember the voice of John the Baptist calling out in the wilderness: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Mt. 3:2). In our repentance, let us work to restore within ourselves the faithfulness, trust, and innocence which little children so easily demonstrate.