A man shall leave father and mother and cling to his wife

Josh. 24:1-13, Mt. 19:3-12. Today's first reading represents a typical covenant ceremony at Shechem, a major sanctuary in central Israel. The people gathered before the Tabernacle and recited a well known creed (Cf. Deut. 6:20-25, 26:3-11). The Israelites had pagan origins, for their ancestors had “served other gods,” yet God led the patriarchs to the promised land and made a covenant with them. After the exodus from Egypt and the wandering in the desert, God led the people over Jordan to a fertile land with vineyards and olive groves they did not plant. Israel’s sacred history tells of God’s continual kindness, exceeding anything they deserved. Such kindness is expected in the marriage covenant.

In a debate about divorce, Jesus restates in today's Gospel, God’s original design for marriage: “A man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife, and the two shall become one.” Recognising the heroic conditions for marriage that this implies, his disciples reckon that it is “better not to marry.” Jesus replies that lifelong fidelity is possible only for those who have that special gift. The sacramental grace of marriage, helping and motivating the spouses, translates their vocation into routine daily affection and respect toward each other. Not only does Jesus go back before the law of Moses to restate our God’s original plan for marriage, but He adds that, for the love of God’s Kingdom, we are called to chaste life. Some are bound to the single life by birth defects or by other causes; others are drawn to it by a free decision.

May the Lord help those in pain to know that the Father cares for them and He loves them as He love His own Son! Amen!! Good morning, peace be with you!!!