Jesus replied, “Have you not read, that, in the beginning,the Creator made them male and female?
And the Creator said: Therefore, a man shall leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the
two shall become one body. So, they are no longer two, but one body. Let no one separate what
God has joined.”
They asked him, “Then why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?”
Jesus replied, “Moses knew the hardness of your hearts, so he allowed you to divorce your wives; but it
was not so in the beginning. Therefore, I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be for immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery.”
The disciples said, “If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry.” Jesus said to them,
“Not everybody can accept what you have just said, but only those who have received this gift. There
are eunuchs born so, from their mother’s womb. Some have been made that way by others. But there
are somewho have given up the possibility of marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the
one who can accept it, accept it.”
Reflection:
Recently, a long-term friend of mine celebrated the silver jubilee of wedding. Except for the initial years,
his married life has been an experience of hell. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually abused by his wife,
he has suffered, and still suffers through dark times. Has he ever contemplated divorce? Of course; but
for him, divorce is not an option. He understands that his wife had an abusive childhood which seems to
be acted out in their relationship. “God has brought her to me as partner for life, and therefore,so shall
she be. I try my best to understand her, and keep working on our relationship, but no divorce, for that’s not
God’s will.” In him I see the fidelity of Yahweh towards the wayward Jerusalem, as narrated by Ezekiel in
today’s first reading. As marriage becomes more and more fragile in today’s world, let us pray for covenantal
fidelity among married couples.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022
