A Reflection on Mark 10:2-12

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In this Sunday's Gospel, the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus when they asked him if a man could divorce his wife. Jesus answered why Moses permitted divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 and taught them the meaning of marriage. Jesus explained to them the reason that Moses allowed divorce was because of the sinfulness of the people of Israel, “a concession to the hardness of hearts” (CCC 1614). However, lifelong monogamy and fidelity were God’s plan in the beginning. He said: “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” (Mk 10:6-9). Here, Jesus teaches the indissolubility of marriage. This means that a true marriage cannot be dissolved.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “the marriage bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved. This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable, and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God’s fidelity. The Church does not have the power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom” (CCC 1640).  When spouses receive the sacrament of Matrimony, they are the ministers of Christ's grace; that is, the priests (bishops or presbyters) are not ministers, but they are “witnesses to the mutual consent given by the spouses” (CCC 1623). The Catechism then teaches that through the sacrament of Matrimony, the spouses have their own special gifts, which are “to perfect the couple's love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity. By this grace they ‘help one another to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating their children.’” (CCC 1641)

Reflecting on the indissolubility of marriage, if you are married, you should ask yourselves: “Have I been faithful to my marriage vows? Was I unloving to my spouse? What are the reasons for the dissolubility in marriage?” You must learn that Catholic marriage is a sacrament that was instituted by Jesus. This sacrament signifies “the union of Christ and the Church.” Therefore, it “perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.” (CCC 1661). Let us pray to God to strengthen the foundation of the families by making husbands and wives be faithful in lifelong fidelity.

Yours in Christ, Vinh Nguyen