Ord. Wk 27th October 7, 2018
Reflection on the WORD
Fidelity to God: In today’s Gospel, Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her.” Jesus is upholding the sacred bond of marriage, and the spouses’ fidelity towards the family. Our crosses may be heavy, but our strength comes from God.
Mk 10:2-12
Some Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ They were putting him to the test. He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’
They replied, ‘Moses allowed us to draw up a writ of dismissal in cases of divorce.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘It was because you were so hard hearted that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation he made them male and female. This is why a man leaves his father and mother, and the two become one flesh. They are no longer two, therefore, but one flesh. So then, what God has united, human beings must not divide.’
Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this, and he said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- God created man and woman for each other, to be united in their differences that complement them. They are no longer two but one flesh. The marriage bond is therefore indissoluble.
- Jesus gave His life for all peoples; through His great sacrifice on the Cross, He formed the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit that he sent on Pentecost. The marriage bond is the sign of Christ’s intimate and inseparable union with His people, the Church.
- As baptized Christians and members of His Church we are called to imitate Him and give ourselves to others as He has shown us. Ponder on how is God calling you to serve without counting the cost?