Friday 17 August
Matthew 19:3-12
Marriage is fundamental to God’s plan for the human race. Indeed, right at the beginning of his public ministry Jesus showed by the miracle at Cana his reverence and regard for this most holy of institutions (John 2:1-11). The Church has always recognized the divine origin of marriage, and the Second Vatican Council reflected on its place in God’s plan for humankind: ‘The intimate partnership of life and the love which constitutes the married state has been established by the good Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws. God himself is the author of marriage’ (Gaudium et spes 48). God’s plan for marriage is rooted in his creation of the human race. It is rooted in the dignity every human person possesses because they are created in the image and likeness of God.
Every generation has struggled with God’s teaching on the sanctity and preciousness of the state of marriage. The demands of a life-long union were challenging even in Jesus’ day! History is replete with examples of our tendency to reduce the marriage union to a mere contractual arrangement which best suits the life and circumstances of those involved.
In Moses’ day things were no different. The Israelites hardened their hearts against God’s plan for marriage to such an extent that he conceded a procedure for divorce (Matt. 19:8). Why he did this Jesus explains: because their hearts were hard! It was not this way from the beginning, and a lifelong union is God’s intention for every marriage.
There was no doubt then, and there can be no doubt now, that this teaching is radical and is challenging. To accept and live out this teaching is a work of God’s grace. In a very real sense the marriage covenant is an invitation to lay down one’s life for one’s spouse. God ordained that marriage is a holy and sacred vocation, and by sanctifying grace and the power of the Holy Spirit those who are married can live out their vocation with courage, wisdom and strength.
Lord Jesus, we pray for all married couples. We pray that by God’s grace they may live out their vocation in faithfulness, obedience and trust. May all married couples be witnesses of the covenant love that God has for his people.
Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63 • Isaiah 12:2-6
Matthew 19:3-12
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