THE WILL OF THE ALMIGHTY FOR MARRIAGE.
THE WILL OF GOD IN MARRIAGE.
"Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them.
The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But 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. So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10: 1-12).
Friday 28th February 2025 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10: 2).
This is the big question in today's Gospel. Jesus responds:
"But 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.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh." (Mark 10: 6 - 8).
And then Jesus adds:
"Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” (Mark 10: 9).
Marriage and Holy Orders are two Sacraments of Service in the Church.
Through these Sacraments, married people and clergy, viz: bishops, priests and deacons are equipped by grace to build up the Church. Both Holy Orders and Matrimony are in dire crisis today. Less than 40% of married couples who have been married for 35 years or more are still married to the same person. We can do better because the grace of the Sacraments are there to support fully the state of married life. The grace is not ineffectual. You cannot force the grace on people. God the Father told St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church in her book the DIALOGUE that you cannot force people to go to Heaven.
"The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him." (Genesis 2: 18).
The Holy Spirit, the Ultimate Helper walks along us in the Journey of life. He is a shy Spirit and will not force Himself upon us
"Most Holy Family of Nazareth, perfection of family love grew strong in your school of love. Please bestow upon me, my family, and all families the grace needed to more fully imitate the love you shared, so that families will remain the fundamental building block of the world. Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us and have mercy on all. Jesus, I trust in You." (Cf Roman Missal).
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
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