"The Sanctity of Marriage"

    Peace! In Today's Gospel (Mk 10:2-16), Jesus clarifies some things about marriage and categorically answers the Pharisee's question, "Is it right for a husband to divorce his wife?"

Marriage is a vocation, a call from God. It is not by accident that a man and a woman full in love with each other and ultimately decide to get married and live together for the rest of their lives. Marriage is a sacred calling geared to God's plan for the people. Indeed, as the saying goes, "Marriage are made in heavens"

Marriage is a call to holiness. This marks the difference between marriage in the civil courts and that in the Church. The religious rites in church bolster the belief that through this vocation the couple will live a holy life. In other words, they bind themselves to help each other to live a life of holiness with Christ as the indispensable third party in their relationship.

Marriage necessarily implies a life of commitment. While marriage is intended for the happiness of the couple, it is, paradoxically, likewise a vocation to suffering. But these sufferings and difficulties could be opportunities for growth and a deepening of love and happiness. The couple are ready to endure a life of sacrifice because they love one another. It is  also helps that the couple both look at one direction and are guided by one goal: to experience the kingdom of God in their lives.

Inevitably, the answer to the Pharisee's question is a resounding NO to divorce. The basis of the church's stand may be found in the Bible which tells of how God loved Israel very much. In a sense, Jesus was married to Israel. But even when Israel got "adulterous", God did not "divorce" or abandon Israel. God continued to show His love and brought forgiveness for its many transgression through His son who assumed man's sins and redeemed man with His own Blood and death on the Cross.

In like vein, the relationship forged between the married couple in a Christian marriage is blessed with same great love that God bestowed on Israel, which echoes the Church's stand on the issue of divorce. "let no one separate what God has joined."

God Bless and keep together always all the men and women whom He has joined in Holy Matrimony!

Rev. Fr. Rufino P. Yabut

Parish Priest

SHJ-MBS Parish Church