A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

Some Pharisees’ approached Jesus and, as a test, asked, “Is it permissible for husbands to divorce wives?”  In reply Jesus asked, “What command did Moses give?”  They answered, “Moses permitted a husband to write a decree of divorce and to put her away.”  But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote the commandment because of your hardness of heart.  From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.  This is why one person leaves home and cleaves to another, and the two become one flesh.  They are no longer two but one flesh.  What, therefore, God has united, let no one divide.” Back in the house again, the disciples questioned Jesus once more about this.  He told them, “If any man divorces his wife and marries another, he commits adultery against her; and if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

People were bringing their children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples scolded them for this.  But when Jesus saw this he was indignant, and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them.  It is to just such as these that the kindom of God belongs.  I tell you solemnly, whoever does not welcome the kindom of God like a little child will not enter it.”  And Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

The Good News as spoken through Mark.