Reflection on the Gospel of the Friday
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Matthew 19: 3-12 |
In today’s gospel, Jesus stresses the importance of the sanctity of marriage. The Pharisees ask Jesus a question ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?’. They had in mind Deuteronomy 24:1 where Moses allowed divorce if a man ‘finds something objectionable’ in his wife. Jesus points out that this is not the law of God (Deuteronomy 24:1) but something Moses allowed because of their rebellious nature. Such an accommodation is never to be regarded as divine law.
Jesus turned their test against them by quoting from Sacred Scripture, asking them if they did not know the passages from Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. He asks them if they are willing to dispute what God has commanded in these passages and interprets the passages to mean there can be no division/divorce when God has joined a couple in marriage. God’s intention from creation is for man and woman to remain united.
Jesus praises those who choose celibacy as a way of life for the service of the Kingdom, or who accept the celibacy imposed on them because of a broken marriage which remains indissoluble. He reminds us however that this calls for special grace. When the disciples heard the Jesus’ teachings on this subject, some of them concluded the opposite extreme and concluded, though some were married including Peter that ‘It was better not to marry at all’.
Jesus calls some of his faithful to follow him in the celibate life as religious, consecrated virgins, bishops, priests, or lay people, giving up the goods and joys of marriage and family to focus more directly and exclusively on Jesus. Through this great gift of Celibacy, they thus give themselves with greater freedom to the service of Jesus and humanity.
2 Responses
be no division/divorce when God has joined a couple in marriage. God’s intention from creation is for man and woman to remain united. TRUE.
These type of heavenly union is needed – but current scenario being more of manipulation n self interest is root cause of divorce, which is truly a good ground for separation as these base agenda is against the very spirit of marriage.
So we need to be prudent, to not push narrative on what Jesus said and meant as there r couples who truly need to be set free sometime ..to start a new life..
Yes Arnold, against what you said, it is right. But look it from the point of getting into Marriage. Then is when we need to reconsider and understand what marriage is.
For those who choose God, they need to understand Suffering is also a tool that perfects us, even through the wrong choices we make. If God being Good, lets suffering come our way, it is for our good, and our development. Many times we try to runaway from suffering, and do not stop to understand the reason and source of the suffering. In doing so, we possibly are rejecting the one who lets suffering come into our life. Then is when we let bitterness come our way. Then is when peace leaves us, and we come restless, disconcerted and blind to God. The rest follows.