The Holy Martyr Sebastian and His Companions
Nativity Fast.
Read
Hebrews 12:25-26; 13:22-25; Mark 10:2-12
Sometimes we like the exception to the rule. And, sometimes, we like the exception so much, we live it as if it were a rule. This is the case in today’s Gospel selection. As John was imprisoned, and eventually beheaded, because of his words against Herod’s divorce and marriage, so the Pharisees were trying to catch our Lord. It is interesting to note that while He asked the Pharisees for the commandment that was given by Moses, they responded with the exception, what was permitted. Our Lord brought them back to the actual teaching—a man and a woman in marriage become one flesh. They are not two self-willed beings that form a union that can be dissolved later if they so willed. In marriage, a husband and wife, leaving behind their families, are a new organism. There had been an allowance for divorce due to hardness of heart, but in Christ Jesus, that allowance is no longer permitted. There is a return to the original intent of marriage, and to the original intent of creation.
For those who are married in the Lord: It is always good in the middle of a race to look to the goal line, to lift one’s head and see where one is to run. Likewise, today’s Gospel is a call for you to remember why you are married—for the good of your spouse and for your children. How are you doing in your role as the path of holiness for your spouse? For your children? Continually ask for the Lord’s assistance.
For those are not married: Whether you are one who is seeking to married, or one who is called to live your life without marriage, we must support the vision of marriage that has been given to us by the Lord. He created marriage; we did not. In what ways do you live that encourage the institution of marriage as the Lord envisions it?