Today,
we reflect on a profound teaching from our Lord Jesus about marriage.
But
before we delve into the scripture, I'd like to share a story with you – a
story of love, struggle, and unwavering commitment.
I
once knew a couple, let's call them John and Mary.
They
were high school sweethearts who married young, full of dreams and love for
each other.
In
the early years, their life seemed perfect – they had good jobs, a beautiful
home, and were blessed with two children.
But
as we know, life often has unexpected turns.
When
their youngest child was diagnosed with a severe illness, their world was
turned upside down.
The
stress of hospital visits, mounting medical bills, and the constant worry began
to take its toll.
John
and Mary found themselves arguing more, drifting apart, each dealing with their
pain in isolation.
One
evening, after a particularly heated argument, John stormed out of the house.
As
he drove around aimlessly, he found himself at my church.
The
doors were open, and he walked in, collapsing into a pew, his head in his
hands.
That's
where I found him, and he poured out his heart to me.
He said, "I don't know if I can do this
anymore.
It's too hard.
Maybe
we'd all be better off if Mary and I just went our separate ways."
It
was at this moment that the words of Jesus from today's Gospel reading came to
my mind.
I
said, “do you remember when the Pharisees ask Jesus, "Is it lawful for a
man to divorce his wife?"
And
Jesus responds by reminding them of God's original design:
"From the beginning of creation, God made
them male and female.
For
this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh."
And
then Jesus adds these powerful words:
"Therefore what God has joined together,
let no one separate."
I
shared these verses with John that night, reminding him that in marriage, God
creates something new – a union so profound that it's described as "one
flesh."
This
bond isn't just a feeling or a legal contract; it's a spiritual reality.
"John,"
I said, "when you and Mary took your vows, you didn't just make a promise
to each other.
You
entered into a covenant with God.
And
God is with you in this struggle."
We
prayed together, and John left with a renewed sense of purpose.
It
wasn't an instant fix – John and Mary had a long road ahead.
They
sought counseling, both individually and as a couple.
They
learned to communicate better, to lean on each other, and to seek support from their
faith community during hard times.
Years
later, I watched with joy as John and Mary renewed their vows on their 25th
anniversary.
Their
faces revealed the lines of the struggles they'd been through, but their eyes beamed
with a deep love that had been tested and proven true.
As
they stood before the altar, Mary turned to the congregation and said,
"There were times when it would have been
easier to walk away.
But we chose to walk together, and God walked
with us."
Brothers
and sisters, this is the kind of commitment Jesus speaks of in today's Gospel.
When
the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with legal arguments about divorce, Jesus
pointed them back to God's original design – a union so sacred that it reflects
Christ's own unbreakable love for the Church.
Jesus
says, "What God has joined together, let no one separate."
This
isn't just a prohibition against divorce; it's an invitation to discover the
deep, transformative power of committed love.
For
those of you who are married, I encourage you to see your spouse through
God's eyes today.
Remember
that your marriage is not just about your happiness, but about your holiness –
it's a path God has given you to grow in love, patience, and selflessness.
For
those who are single or in other vocations, this teaching reminds us of the
sacredness of all human relationships and the call to fidelity in our
commitments.
And
for those struggling in your marriages, like John and Mary were, remember that
you are not alone.
Reach
out for help – to God, to your church community, to professional counselors if
needed.
Your
marriage is worth fighting for.
Let
us pray for all marriages, that they may be strengthened and renewed.
And may we all, whatever our state in life,
strive to reflect God's faithful, unbreakable love,
in our relationships,
and with one another.
Amen