Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 18, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Friday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Matthew 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?" He said in reply, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate." They said to him, "Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?" He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery." His disciples said to him, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." He answered, "Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts yet another testing of Jesus by those in authority, hoping to use his words against him. The test in today’s text regards marriage and divorce. Jesus turns their question back to them and asks them if they have not read what the scriptures say about this. He ends by saying that “what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

When those testing him pushed back with questions concerning Moses’ guidance on divorce, Jesus responds: “Because of the hardness of your hearts, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so.” Jesus acknowledges the impact of sin on humanity that was not in play at the time of the union of Adam and Eve; Jesus admits this when he says, “but from the beginning it was not so.”

How does this pertain to us today?

In regard to today’s text, we must ask ourselves if we “test the LORD” – challenge the LORD – around those areas of life in which we struggle. Concerning marriage, as with all relationships according to our beliefs, we are to be steadfast and committed to loving the other. However, as Jesus points out, because of sin in our world, at times our judgments are not what they should be or others are not whom they appear to be. The Church recognizes this existence of “less than perfect” world and allows for the annulment of marriages on specific grounds. But still, we are called to discern prayerfully before we act and prayerfully seek to live the life we have prayerfully discerned.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I insist on “testing” the LORD? Have I rejected the LORD’s love and guidance out of my own stubbornness?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we praise You for our creation and for our lives filled with your power and presence. We give You thanks for your Word which is to guide us as we journey in faith, trusting in your promises, fueled by your love. Help us as journey to remain steadfast in our commitment to live as You call us to live. May your love for us be the light in our lives that allow us to make good judgments and to make our way home to You. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.