Mutual Love
In the eyes of God, what does a person need in order to find their happiness, their purpose, and fulfilment? How do we find our calling?
From the Book of Genesis, we learn the following: From the wild animals of the ground and various birds of the sky, God formed out of the soil and He brought them to the man. The man was allowed to give each living being a name, but even that was not a suitable partner for the man.
God saw this – the man was missing something – an equal, someone who recognised him for what he was. Man was missing a human connection to respond to his joys and needs. And God gave him what he needed, for the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of “her man” this one has been taken.”
And now, dear friends, comes the most remarkable statement: “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife. And the two of them shall become one flesh.”
Reading from Mark
Looking at our Gospel - The Pharisees pose a tricky question to Jesus: “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” Jesus then refers to this original love relationship when he gives them an answer. He says: "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female and the two shall become one flesh, Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate."
When discussing marriage, divorce, and remarriage, we often feel overwhelmed. Countless different and heartbreaking situations come to mind. These issues are complex, and I find them especially difficult to address in a homily. We could spend time thinking about the challenges that come with marriage, but that is not where a loving relationship begins. Instead, let us focus on the beauty and the deep meaning of the love that forms a Catholic marriage.
The Sacrament of Matrimony
When I speak about a Catholic marriage, I begin with three essential beliefs which we hold to be true:
God has called us here.
God is with us here.
God will not leave us here.
Of course, falling in love starts as a feeling, a strong attraction that longs for something deeper. Couples embark on a journey together, eventually leading to marriage. And yes, this is a beautiful thing. But is their decision to marry in the church simply a personal choice based solely on their love for each other? I say - YES AND NO.
Marriage carries a deeper meaning of mutual love
We are convinced that marriage is not just some temporary commitment meant only to make each other happy. It is, first and foremost, the deep conviction that God has brought us together and has called us into this union of love and life.
Dear friends, we are talking about a calling on the path to holiness. Every couple that decides to marry in the church is saying “yes” to a shared calling. This shared calling is rooted in God’s unconditional love for each person and his invitation to a deep relationship. This realisation leads us to yet another conviction: God wants to be with us always – here and now. Even when family situations become difficult and we find ourselves questioning why daily life as a couple and as a family can be so hard, we must remember that our relationships are about more than just a contract that can be made or broken.
All We Need is Love
It’s all about love. Marital love goes beyond physical attraction and erotic desire, beyond simply being in a relationship, more than partnership, and beyond possessing one another. From the perspective of creation, marital love reflects the love of the Creator for His creatures. This is why God has repeatedly offered and renewed His covenant, his promises with humanity.
So, let me repeat this second conviction: God is with us here. And this promise of God, that He is always with us, well...it does not protect us from trials or pain. This tangible love that Jesus Himself demonstrated has the power to carry and transform many things. He showed the fullest extent of His love. He sealed the new covenant with His blood – He is the bridegroom, and the Church is His bride. God’s love for His people and Jesus’ love for His Church form the foundation of the sacramental marriage between a man and a woman. Marriage, is, therefore, is a sacred sign of God’s love. It is both a symbol and a pathway of salvation. I am aware that I have not provided answers to the burning questions about divorce and remarriage.
In the midst of all the difficulties and challenges of a church marriage let us keep these three points in mind:
God has called us here.
God is with us here.
God will not leave us here.
Based on these convictions, I wish all of us much strength and joy to dare to love in a divine and human way.
Praised be Jesus Christ. Amen.