August 17, 2018

Gospel: Mt 19:3-12
Some Pharisees approached him. They wanted to test him and asked, “Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?” 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 some who have given up the possibility of marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who can accept it, accept it.”

Reflections
Let no one separate what God has joined Jesus quotes the Old Testament, “Let no one separate what God has joined,” and defends the indissolubility of marriage, which is a sign of God’s undying love. Every sacrament makes visible God’s love and grace. In the Eucharist, the consecrated bread and wine make present the body and blood of our Lord. In marriage, the love of the couple for each other is the visible sign of God’s love. A couple that nourishes and cares for each other, understands and forgives one another, remains faithful to each other throughout their lives makes palpable God’s abiding love for the world.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018