Family Solution

Reflection for Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Year
(Gen 2:18-25; Mk 7:24-30)
The journey of creation today unveils the human family. “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Interestingly, it was God who alone took the initiative and brought marriage to man as a gift. It was given to man as a solution to human problem—loneliness! In other words, marriage a solution to problem, not the problem itself.

The male partner had no active role, either by intention or otherwise, in the formation of His marital partner. He received her ‘ready-made,’ and vice versa. Both share in equal right and dignity, while complimenting each other. Since marriage is meant to address human problem, every marriage has one cross or the other to endure! But when couples do not receive each other as God's gift, the problem within worsens.

“This at last is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” This echoes the format and joy of the free acceptance of the partner as God's gift. It is a joyful response to God, who in fact, is the source of the solution to the problem. The two form one bond distinct from their respective families, “and become one flesh.” The man his wife lived in total freedom and innocence before each other.

Now, a woman with a serious family problem approached Jesus—her little daughter was possessed. She humbled herself, and with strong faith and persistence, begged Jesus for solution. Finally, Jesus answered her. Jesus has come to redeem even the brokenness in our family life. Let us invite Him in.

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Immaculate Conception Parish,
Iba Estate, Lagos.
Thursday 14 February, 2019.