Marriage Bond

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom was, he taught them. 2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." 5 But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." Mark 10:1-12

Reflection: The husband-wife relationship is a special relationship? It is a great mystery that can lead us on to reflect on the great miracle of unity, love, comfort and the peace it accomplishes within this gamut of relationship.

The human person relates with a whole lot of people and yet no relationships or interactions can replace the special place that the husband-wife relationship enjoys.

Those of us who are immersed in the mystery of God and his constant working in creation can be lead to praise the marvels of his action in creation.

The mystery and its working is above rationality in many aspects.

This relationship is rendered challenging and delicate by the sinful and selfish actions of human beings, even among cultures and customs which recognize the institution of marriage as permanent bond till death do them apart.

It is a relationship that needs to be worked out and not just lived.  For us Christians we see our own frailty and weaknesses and depend on God the savior who is able to save even through the bond of relationships. (cfr. I Cor. 7:14) 

Humans knowing the frailty of their actions have adopted the institutional approach, ratifying the marriage bond in public, before witnesses.

It is also an action, wherein, in their desire to care for each other the strong seeks to care for the weak. 

Prayer: Lord God, bless the bond of marriage, especially those who struggle to maintain a life of unity and peace in and through their relationship.

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