As is their usual mode of operation, the Pharisees in today’s Gospel passage are once again trying to trick Jesus. They are not actually asking Him if divorce is lawful, for they know the Law and they are aware that Jesus knows the Law and the Scriptures. Rather, they want to hear His interpretation of the Law, so that they may accuse Him of being too rigid or too loose in regards to the Mosaic allowance for divorce. However, instead of giving them the satisfaction of such, he simply quotes a different passage Scripture to them, which comes from the first reading we heard from Genesis.
The beginning of Genesis speaks of the creation of the world and the garden paradise of Eden. In the Garden of Eden, all was perfect, sin had not entered the world and everything was as God originally intended and created it to be. This includes marriage. We learn from Genesis the perfect model for marriage. The indissoluble bond between a husband and wife that allows them to become more that simply a stable pairing of persons, but in fact one flesh, so devoted to each other that the distinction between the two seems to disappear.
Sadly, we live in a fallen world, a sin-ridden world in which human relationships are difficult and troublesome at times. Nevertheless, despite our struggles, we continually look to Christ as the model for how we ought to live in this troubled world. The Church looks to Christ as the source of her teaching on the nature of marriage, and the reality that a valid and true marriage bond is only ended in death. This is indeed a difficult teaching at times. Because of the brokenness of our world, there is no such thing as a perfect marriage. Just ask anyone who is married. My own parents have been married for almost forty years and they would be the first to say its not easy. However, they have kept in mind the very real vows they made on their wedding day which united them as husband and wife.
Much like the way the Pharisees were attempting to trick Jesus into taking sides, many have tried to trick Pope Francis in the same way, especially in his visit to the United States. However, our Holy Father has continued to uphold the teaching of the Church on the dignity and the sacredness of marriage. However, Pope Francis is different from recent popes in that he comes to us not as a scholar or a high-ranking churchman, but as a pastor. Therefore, Pope Francis is helping us to not only uphold the value of marriage, but to remember the difficulties of marriage today, and the reality that at times, some marriages cannot withstand these difficulties.
When the sad reality a couple who cannot reconcile differences occurs, the Church approaches it very seriously, not because she is rigid and desires to create more trauma for these couples, but because she loves them and concerns herself greatly with each individual’s spiritual welfare and peace of soul. That is why in our own diocese, Bishop Rhoades has removed any monetary fees associated with the annulment process. Fr. Mark Gurtner, our Judicial Vicar and head of the Diocesan Tribunal is working to make our offices more efficient. Pope Francis has also adjusted certain requirements in order to streamline the process of obtaining a declaration of nullity, the decision of the diocesan court that a valid and sacramental marriage was in fact never in existence from the beginning.
Granted, the decision that a relationship of marriage is not going to work is never an easy one to make and should not be taken lightly. That is why we often encourage and urge couples who are struggling to not be afraid to seek professional help. Often times an outside view can be a huge help to a relationship, it brings fresh outlooks, new solutions, and most of all, hope for reconciliation.
In the letter to the Hebrews that we heard today, we read that Jesus was “for a time made lower than the angels” and knew the human condition of pain and suffering. It is through that reality that we can draw courage and strength in our own struggles. Our Lord knows the pain we encounter in this life. He encountered it Himself. He too felt alone, abandoned, broken and betrayed. If we turn to Him and place our burdens at His feet, He will certainly assist us in carrying them on the journey to healing. “By His stripes we were healed,” and it is His love and compassion that are the healing balm for our earthly wounds and pains. Allow Him to guide you. Allow Him to heal you. Allow Him to simply love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment