Walking with Jesus: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16

How is my relationship with God? How is my relationship with my spouse? How is my relationship with my closest friend? How is my relationship with my siblings? How is my relationship with my parents? How is my relationship with the people of God? And the BIG question: Why is this so? Am I the one lacking in love? What can I do?

Jesus teaches us God’s Law of Love in Matthew 22:37-40: “Teacher, which commandment in the Law is the greatest? Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole Law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.’”

There is no question about it: We learn love from those who love us and those whose lives radiate love. Today’s readings focus on married love. Marriage can be beautiful. Marriage can be shattered. Jesus’ words today about the permanence of marriage can feel so rigid, especially with those experiencing pain, betrayal and non-love. At the center of each reading are the words: “joined together.” They connote an intimacy, a giving and a sharing of one’s whole life to serve another. How am I doing with this in my relationships?

At the time of Jesus, in the Jewish world, the institution of marriage was in shambles. Experts of the Law, both religious and civil, had interpreted Mosaic Law very loosely. A man could divorce his wife if he found any “indecent behavior” in her which made the marriage shaky. Many women avoided marriage as a result. A woman had a much harder time divorcing her husband. A man could divorce his wife over a poorly cooked meal … if she spoke out hastily raising her voice … if he found someone more attractive or to his liking. Ultimately, as we can see in the Ten Commandments, a wife was viewed more as a piece of property than as a person. So the Pharisees brought the question about divorce to Jesus with the intent of discrediting Him in front of His followers. Many scholars feel that Moses had defined the parameters for divorce in order to protect the institution of marriage since people were already living more like the pagans did. Selfishness, lust and sexism were prevalent in those cultures. Jesus is telling us that marriage imitates the love the Trinity has for each other and for us. Can we live as Jesus teaches?

The first chapter of the Book of Genesis concludes with God’s emphatic declaration that creation is very good. Why is this so? Because, surprisingly, the book begins with a negative evaluation: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” [Genesis 2:18] The search for a suitable partner begins. The name that man gives to each animal clearly shows that he has not yet recognized a suitable companion. Then God fashions a woman -- not from the ground, but from man himself. The final verse describes the man finding in woman a love surpassing even the love of father and mother.

Paul explains to the Hebrews that by taking on our human condition, Jesus experienced all aspects of life ... especially suffering pain, rejection and death. His death brought about salvation for all who believe in Him. By becoming human, Jesus became our brother. By dying on the cross, Jesus became our eternal High Priest.

Mark shows that the Pharisees are testing Jesus about His position on marriage and divorce because His position is much stricter. The debate is over the legality of divorce versus the  grounds for it. Jesus refers to Moses (Deuteronomy 24:1-14), who says a husband can divorce his wife by issuing a bill of divorce. Moses was conceding to pressure, whereas Jesus’ position is that the plan of God does not allow for divorce. In Jesus' teaching He settles for nothing less than the perfect brilliance of selfless love. Love is living out this calling in our relationships. We are not going to understand everything that Jesus said or that the Church teaches. Even the disciples question this. Over time we learn that Jesus is more patient with us than we are with ourselves. “Trust God and be faithful to God and each other” ... so easily said, so hard to uncover its riches. We don’t get everything right, but God loves us ... no matter who we are ... and shows us how to love. St. Francis of Assisi gave us meaningful words: “Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, so that He who gives Himself totally to you, may receive you totally.”

So I reflect on:

• God’s vision for marriage is broad and expansive, giving and sharing love with each other. Where have I seen this blossom? Who have I seen as a model of being joined together?
• Just as Jesus was put to the test, so our culture squabbles over the issue of marriage. How can I speak words of wisdom in these conflicts in a way that will be heard as love?

Sacred Space 2021 states:

“Jesus’ teaching on marriage and the inadmissibility of divorce may be a joyful message to those who receive from God the wonderful gift of marital union but a source of anguish for those whose attempt at marriage has failed. In Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis invites Christian families ‘to be a sign of mercy and closeness wherever family life remains imperfect or lacks peace and joy.’ He offers ‘an invitation of mercy and the pastoral discernment of those situations that fall short of what the Lord demands us.’ Mercy is the love that all of us need to experience, regardless of our life history or track record.

“The teaching on marriage and adultery needs to be read alongside Jesus’ reminder that the child, and the child’s receptiveness to love, is the ‘key’ to the kingdom of God. The passage is less about the regulations for ordering relationships and more of a glimpse or vision of God’s loving plan for His children. And this plan remains ‘good news’ for everyone, not just the fortunate ones.”