Gospel of Mark, chapter 10:9

Marriages, they say, are made in heaven for it is only in heaven that human beings can be free from the temptations and trials which married couples have to do deal with almost daily in this life.

When you stop and think about it, there are millions of men and women who are happily married in this country. The media seldom carries happy stories about them; instead, we hear startling divorce statistics, tales of discontent, bizarre stories of spouses murdering each other and their children, and other assorted horrors.

Today, we should pause and give thanks for all the happy marriages around us. Just within our small parish, we have several couples who have celebrated their 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries. Many others are getting married each year and staying together in spite of the problems and temptations of the world. It just goes to show that married love is still alive and well in today’s society.

Today’s scripture focuses on marriage’s beginning in creation; it’s role as the basic community in society; and the central importance of monagamos marriage in God’s plan. For all men and women, today is a good day to say thank you Lord for happy marriages. For all of us, it is a time to remember that marriage was created by God to make men and women happy and holy.

To help married couples live happily together, societies have defined their own expectations of a good husband and a good wife. As the ages rolls on, these expectations may change since there is nothing divine about them. They are only the practical wisdom of each age. What remains steadfast is God’s original plan, that men and women should be united in a bond of love that can overcome all forces that will divide them. This is the teaching of Christ in today’s Gospel. He refuses to be caught up in petty squabbles over the reasons divorce is allowed. His teaching is crystal clear. Married couples love each other as He loves each and every one of us.

Marriage is not only the union of the two people in one flesh; it is primarily the union of two hearts and minds in an unbroken bond of love and commitment. Marriage is a decision of two people to stay together and to make it together in good times and in bad. With man, Jesus tells us, this indissoluble bond of marriage would be impossible, but with God, it is possible. (Mark 10:27).

Fr. Hugh Duffy