Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Fr. Eric Schimmel, C.S.C.

This homily was given on October 6, 2024 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, Indiana. The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. -Mark 10: 2-16 - The Congregation of Holy Cross is a community of Catholic, apostolic priests and brothers called by Jesus Christ and founded by Blessed Basil Moreau, who patterned the religious community after the Holy Family. The brothers and priests of Holy Cross pray and live united in a common religious life, sharing the same history, vows, and spirituality, and drawing from Blessed Moreau’s trust in Divine Providence, confidence in the Cross as our only hope – Ave Crux, Spes Unica – and zeal to make God known, loved, and served. Holy Cross priests and brothers are called upon to be educators in the faith, who with a preferential option for the poor, educate both the mind and heart principally in the fields of education, parish, and mission. Our distinctive charism and trust in Divine Providence has guided Holy Cross members to found world-renowned institutes of Catholic higher education, parishes across the United States and Mexico, along with other important ministries on five continents. The Congregation of Holy Cross is a vibrant and committed community thriving today with Blessed Moreau’s original zeal and passion to love and serve the people of God. We are men with hope to bring! If you’re interested in a life of service to others as a Priest or Brother of Holy Cross, visit holycrossvocations.org.