Reflection: Mark 10:1-12

Friday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 10:1-12

Today the Pharisees once again try to corner Jesus.  They approach him and ask: “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”  Jesus responds, but he asks them a question. He asks: “What did Moses command you?”  They reply: “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”  Jesus bluntly says to the Pharisees: “Moses only wrote the bill of divorce because of the people’s stubbornness and hardness of heart.”  Jesus then states: “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.”

From the beginning of time, relationships have been fragile.  This is especially true in marriage where two individuals live day in and day out with each other.  At varying times, the “hard work” a good marriage requires may test the strength and the commitment of the two individuals in the relationship.  The current reality is that we live in a disposable world.  We use a computer for a time and then when a new model comes out, we buy the new one.  

All relationships require a great deal of work, be that family, friends or work relationships.  However, we do not commit ourselves to coworkers, neighbors, and friends for life.  Yes, there are instances when the healthiest choice for a spouse or a family is divorce.  And most likely, this also was true in Jesus’ day.  Yet Jesus clearly desires that we give our all to any significant relationship, especially marriage.

Today and every day Jesus hopes we will make thoughtful, discerning and loving choices.  Since we live in a disposable world, our natural instinct may be to move on to another relationship; and perhaps this may be the healthiest choice for us and our family.  However, when we commit ourselves to marriage or any other committed way of life, we promise to work together in good times and in bad.  This may involve counseling and working daily to giving our all and to see if the marriage or relationship can be saved.  Divorce may still be the answer.  However, hopefully it will not be the first answer we consider!