Reflection on Mark 10:1-12 ~
Jesus’s response to the Pharisees and the crowd is less about the law but rather about love. Unlike the law’s sharply delineated nature, Christian love is multi-dimensional. To dismiss each other and ultimately turn away as if an on and off switch does not mimic God’s unconditional love. It would seem that even in divorce, compassion and continued love in deep friendship from both parties is paramount for the health of all. These conditions are especially true for children born from coupled love, as they need their parents to be of one flesh (and mind) even if they are apart in other ways such as romantic love.
The Pharisees Question Jesus, James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 10:1-12 – Scripture
Teaching about Divorce
1He left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5 But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 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, let no one separate.”
10 Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 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.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this daily Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina reflection on Mark 10:1-12 Reflection – To be as One Flesh.
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Mark 10 Bible passage.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.