Gospel MK 10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 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, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 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."

Reflection

Why is it so common to hear divorce nowadays?

Back in Joseph and Mary’s time, if Joseph decided to divorce Mary she would have been publicly shamed and stoned to death. Instead, he put his trust in God and humbly accept his role as being Mary’s most chaste spouse.

Today, divorce doesn’t mean getting stone to death but a settlement of up to half the assets. There are many cases of people who marry for money or to get a green card and not for love. Marriage has now been underrated and has a price tag.

I have an aunt that I highly respect. Even though she had divorced her husband many decades ago, he re-married and had kids of his own but after all this time she still wear her wedding ring and refuse to date anybody. Many people encourage her to look for another partner since he has clearly moved on. Yet, despite the constant reminder, she refused to. I asked her why as she is a very capable woman. She looked at her ring and said “I made a vow to God. Just because he broke his vows doesn’t mean I have to”. I was awestruck with that response as I witnessed such faith.

The sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church is a great vocation. A vow that a husband and wife voluntarily take in front of God, is a life commitment. In every vocation, there will be moments of trials. Turn to God and He will guide you through it. After all, He did give us the Holy Family as an example for all loving families.