27B SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 10:2-12, OCTOBER 6, 2024
1. STORY
One day an
unhappy wife visited a wise man for help to make a drink that would change her
husband from being unkind to her to being loving and gentle. He said to make this drink she would need to
get the whisker of a tiger. Although
this would be very difficult, she said she would try. One night she went with a bowl of rice and
meat sauce in her hand to a nearby mountain where a tiger lived. She went near the cave and urged the tiger to
come out but nothing happened. She did
the same thing for many nights until the tiger gradually came out
closer and closer
to her. Finally, he came and ate the
food. One night she gently told the
tiger she would cut one of his whiskers, which she did. Overjoyed she brought the whisker to the wise
man. He looked at it and then threw it
into the fire and then asked her how she did it. She said by patience and kindness. He said to do the same toward your husband and
he will change. The whisker and the
drink are not necessary but patience and kindness are.
2. GOSPEL, MARK
10:2-12
A. IS DIVORCE
LAWFUL?
The leaders asked
Jesus if divorce was lawful. They knew
the answer, but they tried to trap Jesus.
B. DIVORCE IS NOT LAWFUL
Jesus surprised
them by telling them divorce is not lawful and explained why. Jesus said, “What God has joined together, no
human being must separate.”
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A. THE
CONSEQUENCES OF DIVORCE
i) Divorce brings
sadness and unhappiness both to the husband and wife, their children,
and their families and friends.
ii) It brings a
sense of insecurity to the children and a conflict within them as to how to
manage loving both parents.
iii) It brings
financial troubles as they will need to live separately.
B. HELPS
TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE
Here are three
suggestions for a happy marriage from married couples.
i) COMMUNICATION
There must be communication between husband and wife. T here is a need to work out a solution to their difficulties and to clarify their misunderstandings.
ii) CHARITY
There must be a willingness to ask for forgiveness or to forgive the other. There must be a desire to make the other person happy.
iii) COMPROMISE
Both must be
willing to compromise on big and little matters. This is necessary as no two persons are the
same with each having their own needs and hopes.
4. CONCLUSION
The unhappy wife
learned the importance of being patient and kind toward her husband.
Jesus told the
leaders that from the very beginning divorce was not God’s plan. Marriage is for life. Divorce brings sadness and unhappiness to all
involved. COMUNICATION, CHARITY, and
COMPROMISE help in making marriage a success. We ask Jesus to help married couples live a
happy married life.
