Daily Reflection – 3/1/19
Sacred Scripture
Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them. Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 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, let no one separate.” Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 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.” (Mark 10:1-12)
Reflection
From the beginning of time, relationships have been fragile. This is especially true in marriage where two individuals live day in and day out with each other. At times, the hard work that a good marriage requires may test the strength and the commitment of the two individuals in the relationship.
All relationships require a great deal of work, be that work relationships, friends or family. However, with work and friends we do not commit ourselves to an individual for life. It seems that in today’s world, relationships are considered disposable – no different than an outworn product.
Yes, there are instances when the healthiest choice for a spouse or a family would be divorce. Most likely this was also true in Jesus’ day. Yet Jesus clearly desires that we give our best and our all to any significant relationship, especially marriage.
Perhaps Jesus is asking us to make thoughtful and loving choices, discerning choices. Since we live in a disposable world, our instinct is to move on to another relationship or another job. This may be the healthiest choice for us. However, when we commit ourselves to marriage or religious life, we promise to work together in good times and in bad. This may mean counseling, making a marriage encounter, giving our all to see if the marriage can be saved. Divorce may still be the answer. However, hopefully it will not be the first answer we consider!
Prayer of The Day
My Lord and My God, I believe that you will grant me the light and desire to sacrifice myself and purify my love for you and others. I love you, Lord, with this prayer. May it increase the authenticity of the love expressed in my daily life.
Daily Note
The correct question is: “How does God want us to love?” The difference lies in the state of our heart. The one who is open and loves God seeks to know his will. The one who is closed-minded is usually a slave of sin and so lacks the freedom to seek or know the truth. Such a person’s only objective is to justify what he or she wants. Divorce can be justified—it was by Moses. Why? Because of our hardness of hearts, our not being ready to live the fullness of real love. Jesus speaks the truth and gives the grace to live it. Do I allow him to challenge me to live beyond the minimal, beyond the borders of “Thou shalt not,” and to desire what he desires?
