This Sunday’s Gospel presents two key situations: the Pharisees testing Jesus about divorce and the disciples rebuking people for bringing their children to Him. In both cases, God’s intentions for human relationships are being challenged.

By digging deeper into the context, we find that the reverberating message of the gospel is about the hardness of the hearts of the Pharisees and the challenge for us to examine our hearts in the context of God’s call to partnership in Christ’s mission. Jesus exposes the hardness of the Pharisees’ hearts and presents this as a block to communion with Him. The hardness of our hearts prevents us from fully embracing God’s plan. This hardness blocks us from living out God’s plan for our lives, which calls for faithful and loving relationships.  Jesus calls us to move beyond our shortsightedness and embrace an open and welcoming heart. To be able to lead all to Jesus Christ, it is our duty, as the mission partners of FC of AOB, to be open and welcoming of everyone who comes to our door. The kingdom of God belongs to those who surrender their hardness of hearts and embrace His love.