"Married Souls": A Reflection on the Gospel for October 7th, 2018: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mark 10:2-16

2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." 5 But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.' 7 `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.  11 And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." 13 And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

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This Gospel reading from Mark is one that can make people uncomfortable. There are a lot of different views on marriage, which can sometimes lead to conflict and hurt feelings.

Understanding the sacrament of marriage is something even the people of Jesus’ time struggled with. And we continue to struggle with it today. The thing about sacraments is that they are designed to help us grow closer to God. Sacraments are an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual divine grace. Because of our sinful human nature, and sometimes simply lack of understanding, we can fail to appreciate the divine grace offered through marriage.

I think often times we simplify marriage—defining it as a union of two people who love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together—and perhaps that is what a civil union is. The church is playing less and less of a role in the lives of many, so marriage as a sacrament can seem irrelevant. Although many people still want to be married in a church, their reasons may not align with the deeply spiritual entering-into of a covenant with God and their spouse. Or perhaps only one partner is viewing it as a sacrament because the two are at different places in their spiritual journey.

I think what Jesus is trying to convey is that a divorce is a human action to end a human union that was never based on a covenant with God and spouse. I think entering into marriage as a sacrament involves a divine response that we don’t fully understand because we cannot see it. “What therefore God has joined together let not man put asunder”. God joining the two together is the Divine at work. There is a spiritual component we cannot see.

Despite the ideal of what God intended marriage to be, sadly it is not the reality for most people. Instead, marriages can be a union which brings forth hurt and suffering. This reading can also serve as a reminder to keep those folks in our prayers. We must always be filled with compassion towards those who are suffering in a marriage that tears the other down instead of building them up. A marriage should be a safe place to seek refuge, a place where you know the other person has your back.

As I contemplated this reading and my own marriage, my wedding vows came to mind. My husband and I both made a promise to help one another get to heaven. This is a great opportunity for me to evaluate whether I’m doing my part to encourage his spiritual growth, or rather, if I am doing anything to hinder him on his journey.

Let us pray:
For all those in the vocation of marriage; that God will bless and protect what He has joined together. For those experiencing a breakdown or loss of their marriage; that God will bring healing, protection and peace. Amen.

Tammy LeBlanc

"Sacraments are an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual divine grace." - Tammy LeBlanc (Ora Reflections)

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