They replied,
“Moses permitted him
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".
(Mark 10:4-5)
We should always respect God's laws in our lives even when challenged and uphold the teachings of the scriptures. Wise and thoughtful response is how to handle difficult situations with wisdom and grace. While divorce is not part of God's original plan, He understands human weakness and frailty. Let us strive for God's ideals to value and honor our marital commitments while acknowledging our human limitations.
In life's vast expanse, where challenges are rife,
Respect for God's laws, should be our guiding light.
Scriptures teach us wisdom, a compass in our strife,
To navigate the storm, with grace and insight.
Divorce, not part of His plan, yet He understands,
Our human frailty, in life's shifting sands.
His mercy is profound, His love expands,
He holds us close, in His mighty hands.
Strive we must, for His ideals so grand,
To honor marital vows, as He did command.
Yet, acknowledging our limits, on this earthly land,
In His boundless love, we know He'll understand.
So let us walk with grace, hand in hand,
Upholding His teachings, in every land.
For in wisdom and respect, we make our stand,
In the shadow of His laws, under His command.
Dear Lord Jesus,
In the face of life's trials and tribulations, we seek Your guidance and strength. We strive to respect Your laws, even when we are challenged, and uphold the teachings of the scriptures. Grant us the wisdom to respond thoughtfully and handle difficult situations with grace.
We acknowledge that divorce was not part of Your original plan for us. Yet, in Your infinite wisdom and mercy, You understand our human weaknesses and frailties. You know our hearts, Lord, and the struggles we face.
Help us to strive for Your ideals, to value and honor our marital commitments. Yet, as we acknowledge our human limitations, we ask for Your understanding and forgiveness.
May we always seek Your face, Lord, in all that we do. Guide us in our journey and help us to grow in love and understanding for one another. In Your name, we pray.
Amen.
Pericope:
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
Mark 10:1-12
Gospel | Mark 10:1-12
Gospel Acclamation
Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.
1 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. 2 The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, 3 “What did Moses command you?” 4 They replied, “Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” 5 But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts 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 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 10 In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 11 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.”
Background:
Mark 10:1-12 is a passage in the New Testament where Jesus addresses the topic of divorce. The background of this passage is set on the road to Jerusalem⁴, where Jesus knowingly travels towards His crucifixion.
In this passage, some Pharisees test Jesus by asking Him about the lawfulness of divorce. Jesus responds by referring to the commandment given by Moses, which allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and divorce his wife. However, Jesus explains that this commandment was given because of the hardness of their hearts. He then refers to the original design for marriage as established by God in the beginning of creation, where a man and a woman become one flesh. Jesus emphasizes that this union is not meant to be broken.
Jesus's teachings on divorce were known to His followers and are recorded in the writings of Paul, Mark, Matthew, and Luke. His teachings were stronger than those of His contemporaries, and He viewed divorce as a concession to human weakness, less than God's ideal. Jesus upheld the ideal of marriage as a permanent union, as deep as blood ties, and not to be broken.
This passage is a significant part of Jesus's teachings, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of divorce. It reflects Jesus's commitment to uphold God's original design for marriage and His compassion for human weakness.
Learning Lessons:
Mark 10:1-12 offers several important spiritual lessons:
Sanctity of Marriage: Jesus emphasizes the sanctity and permanence of marriage. He refers to the original design for marriage as established by God in the beginning of creation, where a man and a woman become one flesh. This teaches us to value and honor our marital commitments.
Understanding of Divorce: Jesus explains that the Mosaic law permitting divorce was given due to the hardness of human hearts. This shows us that while divorce is not part of God's original plan, He understands human weakness and frailty.
God's Ideal vs Human Weakness: Jesus's teachings highlight the tension between God's ideal (the permanence of marriage) and human weakness (the reality of divorce). This encourages us to strive for God's ideals while acknowledging our human limitations.
Respect for God's Laws: Jesus's response to the Pharisees shows His respect for God's laws. Even when challenged, He upholds the teachings of the scriptures. This teaches us the importance of respecting and upholding God's laws in our lives.
Wisdom in Answering Difficult Questions: Jesus's wise and thoughtful response to the Pharisees' challenging question teaches us how to handle difficult situations with wisdom and grace.
These lessons from Mark 10:1-12 can guide us in our relationships and spiritual journey, helping us to better understand God's ideals for marriage and His compassion for our human weaknesses. (Conversation with Copilot)
