Made For Relationship - Weekday Homily Video

I recently heard a homily in which the priest said that he loved the readings at the beginning of the Book of Genesis. This priest spoke of how they have a rhythm that describes God’s thoughts and actions that reveal both an order and the goodness of God.

This is evident in Genesis 2:18: “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone.’” Now I know we all sometimes need to get away, to be quiet, to think and pray, to rest and recharge. But each of us is made to be in relationship not only with God, but with others.

Rosary Volunteers

Out of compassion for Adam, God created various wildlife; but because of how we are made by God, none proved to meet the needs of man. As I was reflecting on this reading, I decided to enlist the help of our Rosary volunteers here at the Father Peyton Center in North Easton, Massachusetts. I spoke of this reading and asked them what came to mind.

One woman said, "well Father, clearly God could see how man couldn’t make it on his own and so he created woman."

Another said, "if he was alone, he wouldn’t be able to have children and there would be no future generations."

Another said, "God made woman to be a complementary partner to man." If you think about it, there are examples of this to one degree or another in married couples that we all know; how one spouse brings attributes and gifts that the other does not, or only partially, possesses.

As I was wrapping up my time with my Rosary volunteer focus group, I had to ask a question, do you think Adam would have sinned without Eve? One woman said, "absolutely, because he would have been bored".

She does have a point. When we are bored, it is because there is nothing that interests us. However, when we are in relationship with God and our families and friends there is always something to think about or do that is part of God’s plan for us.

Institution of Marriage

In a particular way, the reading from Genesis is the foundational text for understanding the institution of marriage. It highlights God’s design for deep and committed companionship between a man and a woman, where they become “one flesh” and where that union reflects the unity of God and points to the relationship between Jesus, the bridegroom, and the Church.

When we hear God say, “It is not good for man to be alone" it reminds us of an inherent human need for connection and intimacy within a marital relationship, and that marriage is not merely a secular construct, but a sacred covenant established by God that many men and women are called to enter into.

Gift of Man and Woman

As priests, we have forgone the beauty and gift of human marriage to marry the Church. However, each of us have come from a family, one that began with a man and woman becoming one flesh united in God. We, like you, are part of God’s creation and so give thanks to God for the gift of man and woman, for the vocation of marriage that begins the human family.

Let us give thanks to God for the gift of man and woman, for the vocation and sacred covenant of marriage which unites a man and woman as one flesh with God. Let us pray for all those discerning this lifegiving vocation and for all married couples to have the grace of God to live it faithfully throughout their lives.

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page. 

• To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)