Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Jesus tells the Pharisees that God gave life to humanity, recalling Genesis, and he created us as male and female. He challenges the notion that a man can dismiss a woman with a bill of divorce. He says that it was because of “hardness of heart” that Moses made this prescription in the Law of Israel. The Church allows marriages to be annulled when it has been determined, by pastoral and canonical review, that a couple was not adequately prepared when they made their marriage vows. Therefore, no Sacramental marriage took place in actuality. I do not want to dwell on the technical aspect of marriage. I want to invite you to a deeper reflection on what marriage is. When people come together for marriage, as a man and woman who choose to be united in love and commitment, they become something more meaningful than a legal and social contract. These two lovers are united as one. Physically, they are still two distinct people. Substantially, they are one flesh, one person, one union of life and love. The very essence of them both is changed for the better.

Now, I am not casting stones on those who have divorced. The high divorce rate in our country is simply tragic since it leads to great instability among people. I write of marriage to praise its institution and the fabulous married couples who commit to long and healthy marriages. I want to say this also of all commitments in life. I think of those servant leaders who take on hard jobs in hospitals, schools, and service work who are hardly ever recognized for the sacrifices that they give to others. The love they show through their commitments is good for the World. They live out God’s invisible grace through their visible love of their neighbor.

I call on everyone reading this today to keep your commitment to love going. God calls us to Covenant fidelity. One never lets go of their first love. Marriages do end at times, and we will change from one stage in life to another, and yet, marriage is never really over.

The love we have shown, or not shown, leaves an impression on our hearts and will stay with us forever. Keep on keeping on. Do not let the pain in life separate you from who and what you love. Amen.

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB