As has been the case for the last three Sundays, two themes can be easily identified in the Gospel. This Sunday, one theme is unteachableness; and the other divorce.

In the developmental stage, children’s minds are able to receive ideas, information, kingdom teaching. They accept and adhere to these instructions more readily than adults.  How often do we hear our children saying to us, “Miss or Sir said it is to be done this way”. 

And no matter how much we, as parents, try to correct, or show them another way, we’re rejected and sometimes our little ones refute our arguments. In today’s gospel Jesus is undoubtedly referring to the unteachable ways of adults and not of children.  It’s the adult-minded attitude in us that Jesus deems “unteachable”.

Often in the four gospels, Jesus compares the state of children to that of adults. The adult is called to emulate the child. “Unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”, Jesus says (Matthew 18:3).

It is often said that the prayers of children are more easily heard and answered by God. My own understanding of this is that this stems from the state of our souls as adults and the effects of sin in our lives.

The reign of God in our hearts and a repentant attitude, to a very large extent, determines the nature of our relationship with God. The innocence of little children allows them to have closeness to God and a trusting faith. This is the state Jesus desires and wills for each of us.

Jesus, approached by the Pharisees, gives another of his teachings on the question of divorce. It’s a topic that continues to generate the same questions and answers.
Failed marriages in today’s society often start from one source: “me”.  Do I understand what marriage requires? How ready am I for marriage?

Numerous factors may make legal separation necessary. The Catholic Church allows for an annulment which is not to be confused with divorce. It declares that after investigation a marriage which was thought to be valid was not legally binding. 

When we look at life as a whole, the choices we make may not always turn out to be the best for us.  This is no less so in marriage. But when the choices turn out badly, how do we cope? 

What happens to a marriage when someone is unfaithful and ends up with AIDS, when someone takes drugs and trips, when people find themselves in the wrong place, at the wrong time and are in jail?

Jesus says: “The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.”
“That’s harsh”, may be the comment. In today’s society where so many marriages fail to last three years, what are we to make of Jesus’ statement?

Those who have had a failed marriage or are ending one are confronted with serious choices and decisions about how to live the rest of their lives.  As church community we need to reach out more readily to those whose marriages have come to this. For those who are preparing to enter Holy Matrimony, they must recognise marriage is not to be taken lightly.

But, we are reminded of Jesus’ words, “my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Matthew 11:30). He will help us on the road, he will carry us when required and he will never leave us alone.

The trusting faith that we see in our children, and that is buried deep within us, must come to the surface. We need to know Jesus knows all our feelings and desires, and that he will help us.

Heavenly Father, we give you all our praise and thanks. We ask this day and every day for your grace to live our lives in a committed way, faithfully, and with the confidence that you are always with us. Lord, whether in religious life, married life or the single life we need your grace and the presence of your Holy Spirit to see us through.  

Gospel Meditations for the month of October are by Richard Gomez a teacher at Sacred Heart Boys’ and a layminister of the Cathedral/Sacred Heart parish