Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB
In our gospel for today we are
learning from the Lord about the importance of Marriage. The Pharisees were
looking at marriage simply as a contract, and not a lifelong commitment between
a man and woman. They were looking at it legalistically, not as something that
has God in the center of it. Further, the divorces supported by the Pharisees
favored the man. You will notice from this gospel passage that the Pharisees
mentioned that Moses commanded that a man can give a woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her (Matthew 19:7). This situation always favored the man, and the woman was left
with nothing.
Jesus pointed out the hardness
of their hearts in regard to divorce. They were failing to see that a man and a
woman, once married, become one in the eyes of God. Marriage, in God’s plans,
was meant to be forever. As the marriage promises says, “Till death do you
part.” Marriage is meant to have love for each other and love of God at its
center.
There’s an old country song
from many years ago that is called, “Love is the foundation.” Let us remember
that in each marriage, the man and woman need to discern their love for each
other and realize that God’s love is to be the foundation of who they are as a
married couple. Like any vocation, marriage needs to be thought out in advance
and discernment is important to determine that it is indeed the right thing to
do to enter the marriage bond. This should be true for any couple entering into
a marriage: love needs to be the foundation.
Our Lord goes onto indicate
that not all are called to be married for various reasons. Mariage is not for
everyone. There will be those who choose to not get married, but rather serve
God. As Jesus indicates, they renounce marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of
heaven. Priest and nuns are examples of those who have renounced marriage for
the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. This allows them to be focused on serving
the Lord and His Church in their vocation as priests and religious. Further,
there are those who have decided to be consecrated virgins, choosing to remain
single while serving God in various ministries in the Church.
Mother Teresa of
Calcutta once told a couple getting ready to be married, “From the first day of
your life together as husband and wife, pray together. For the family that
prays together stays together in love, peace, and unity.”
Let’s pray for all
married couples, and those preparing for marriage, that they keep God and Love
as the foundation of who they are as a married couple. Relationships are not
always easy, but as long as love of God and love for each other remain at the
center of the marriage, there will be joy in their relationship with one
another and with God.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
My parents were married 64 years until my Dad died in 2014 at the age of 91. Whenever anyone asked my parents the secret of staying married for 50+ & then 60+ years, my Mom always responded, "Put JESUS at the center of your marriage." My Dad would quip "The first hundred years are the hardest! They put GOD in the center, they were both UNSELFISH & they "looked outward [and upward] in the same direction, working together not only for their nuclear family (each other & me) but for our extended family, friends & neighbors who needed help, & the Church. They served as EMs in our parish for over 20 years.
Thanks, also, for adding that some of us are not called to marriage: priests, consecrated religious & celibate singles serving the Church.