AletheiAnveshana: Indispensable Union with God: Gen 2:18-24; Hb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

Saturday, 5 October 2024

Indispensable Union with God: Gen 2:18-24; Hb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

 

Indispensable Union with God

Gen 2:18-24; Hb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

 “My son, pay attention to my words. Listen carefully to what I say” (Divine Office)


For the past three Sundays, we have been hearing Mark’s reports of conversations between Jesus and his disciples. In today’s Gospel reading, we heard the pharisees putting Jesus to test about the lawfulness of divorce. Under specific conditions, the Law of Moses allowed divorce (Dt 24:1-5). This law permits a husband to divorce his wife and not a wife divorces her husband. Jesus quoting the Book of Genesis brings the purpose and meaning in God’s original intention in establishing system of marriages. Jesus’ teaching is more restrictive distinguishing from the cultural norms of his time emphasizing the importance of family.


God intended women and men to be joined together in marriage. The purpose of marriage is raising of children. It is one of some purposes. How does the CCC define the sacrament of marriage? It defines as “a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman that is ordered toward the good of the couple and the procreation and education of children” (A.no.1601). By welcoming children and fostering their relationship with God, parents become co-creators. Marriage is a sacrament. A sacrament is a sign and real presence of God as we believe in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and other sacraments. In the sacrament of marriage, Jesus is present uniting his love to the love of the husband and wife when they live sacrificially. It requires a constant effort of goodwill cooperating with the grace of God. Living in married love with another means dying to self in many little ways, because love is a kind of laying down a life for one’s friend. They bear witness to the Kingdom of God.


The Hebrew word ish-shah” means woman in English, the better meaning ‘indispensable partner’. The term suggests that the woman is to stand alongside the man as his equal in all the aspects of life. It affirms the Biblical saying ‘bone of my bones’, ‘flesh of my flesh.’ Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state as well as state of celibate life for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 19:11-12). Both the sacraments of marriage and celibacy are a call from God to live a holy life. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. The Second Vatican Council reminds us: “This sacred bond, with a view to the good of both the spouses and their offspring, and of society, does not depend on human will. God himself is the author of marriage, who has endowed it with various goods and ends, all of which are of enormous importance for the continuity of the human race” (Gaudium et Spes, n. 48).


Yahweh says, “In three things I was beautified and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbors, a man and a wife that agree together” (Sir 25:1). We ask God’s blessing today upon all who celebrate the sacrament of matrimony. May you have the courage and strength to give witness to the presence of God in the union of husband and wife. 


“The Lord keeps safe all who love him” (Divine Office).

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