Jesus replied, “Have you not read, that, in the beginning, the Creator made them male
and female? And the Creator said: Therefore, a man shall leave father and mother,
and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body. So, they are no longer
two, but one body. Let no one separate what God has joined.” They asked him, “Then
why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?” Jesus
replied, “Moses knew the hardness of your hearts, 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, “Noteverybody 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.”

Reflect

“The two shall become one body.” God’s fidelity never wanes. He is with us when
things run smoothly. He is in solidarity with us when things are not okay. God is always
committed to stay with us no matter what, even in times when we are unfaithful to
him. In our covenant with God, God is always faithful. His commitment does not
depend on circumstances. His commitment remains steadfast. As Christians, we
are called to grow in terms of our sense of commitment. Commitment is holding on to
the covenant we have entered into with somebody, no matter what it takes. Christians
from all walks of life are called to holiness. A holy life is a life of commitment. To cite,
married people are called to holiness by exercising a good sense of commitment.
In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees came to Jesus, wanting to test him if he would
concur to the idea of divorce. The Pharisees cited Moses’ command to write a
bill of dismissal in order to divorce (cf. Dt. 24:1-4). The answer of Jesus accentuated
the challenge that people who entered into marriage should exercise commitment,
citing God’s intention that was there from the beginning – that man
and woman shall become one body (cf. Gen. 2:24).

© Copyright Bible Diary 2024