command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?” Jesus replied, “Moses knew your stubborn heart, 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.”
Reflection:
Jesus is confronted with the question on marriage by the Pharisees. It is a question
as relevant as it is today. For marriage as an institution is very important. It is what
keeps society stable. A good marriage produces good family. Good families produce
a good society. And so, all institutions, be it human or divine in origin must work
hard for its preservation. The Pharisees are not bad people. Perhaps they do not do enough
by guiding the people in the right observance of God’s law. Their thinking calcified in time
and no fresh insight comes from them. That is why Jesus is irritated by them. They who are
supposed to lead people to the truth are the major stumbling block. So what about marriage?
Jesus says that some marriages are done in bad faith and can be revoked. The Church has
a process of nullifying the marriage done in bad faith. The rules are stringent. It cannot be
used for convenience only as what the Pharisees, thinking that Moses allowed it anyway.
Marriage is a big responsibility. It cannot be embraced halfheartedly.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021