Church of the
Annunciation

Today, reflecting on Jesus’ words in the Gospel according to Mark, I will speak on marriage and divorce from the point of view of faith. It is significant that the Pharisees ask the question: “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” Would they raise the issue of divorce if it were not a common practice? Jesus acknowledges that divorce is permitted in Mosaic Law but rather than reference the Book of Deuteronomy, Jesus cites the Book of Genesis. “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 longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Jesus does not permit divorce in his teaching. Jesus is holding to an ideal of marriage but he is also concerned about the welfare of women. When a Jewish man divorced his wife, she was left to return in shame to her father or brother or go it alone in destitution. Jesus holds to the preservation of the covenant of marriage. He is deeply concerned about the plight of women after a divorce, and Jesus, who sets the bar high, always forgives. Jesus sets the example for us. The Church (and we are the Church) must support and affirm men and women who enter into marriage as a life commitment. They are living sacraments in our midst of God’s love and fidelity in Jesus Christ. At the same time we must admit the reality of divorce that touches many families in our faith community. Can we become channels of healing and forgiveness? Do single parents with children; do couples in 2^nd marriages; do mended, blended and extended families feel welcome in our faith community? May they, indeed all of us, receive nourishment and strength in Jesus Christ.