27 Ordinary: October 5 & 6, 2024

Baptist pastor and sociologist, Tony Campolo, gives marriage seminars across the country.
    In his book, Let me tell you a story, he says that at just about every seminar he gives, a man will ask the question:  “Who is supposed to be the head of the household?”
    Campolo says his common answer to the question is to ask a question:  “Are you a Christian?”
    Usually the person answers - YES.
At which point he says:  “then you are asking a pretty stupid question . . . Because a Christian would never ask who is going to be the master. . . The Christian will always be asking:  who’s going to be the servant.”
    Our readings today could be used to speak to many issues - such as the relationship between men and women – marriage – adultery – divorce – even the issue of same-sex unions.
    While all of these are issues addressed by the Church - a homily is not necessarily the forum for addressing them.
    Our reading today are very apt to be misunderstood.  Some will want to use them as proof-texts for a particular stand.  But as always, we must approach them form the larger context of the message and teaching of Jesus Christ.
    For if location, location, location – is sometimes helpful for fully understanding the Gospels – then context, context, context is always important for fully understanding them.
    I know there are many in this sacred space who have suffered the agony of divorce.  And today’s Gospel could very well inflict yet another wound.
    Because Jesus appears to be very clear about the divorced - and doesn’t seem to have much understanding or compassion for them – but context, context, context –
    In this passage, Jesus is NOT speaking to those who are divorced – he is speaking to his ever present adversaries – the Pharisees – the religious lawyers – the canon lawyers – of Jesus day.
    These are legalists who have challenged Him on legalistic grounds – and so Jesus responds in kind –
    They ask about the law - so Jesus responds by using the law.
    Jesus’ frustration is that the concern of these particular Pharisees is too narrow and too shortsighted. . .
    They know God created marriage from the very beginning of creation – and so they know that marriage is part of God’s plan for humanity.
    The Pharisees are trying to use the Law to find an easy path – but Jesus is never one to take the easy path “take up your cross and follow me” is not meant to be easy!
    So Jesus acknowledges that Moses made exceptions in the Law regarding divorce because of SIN – 
and Jesus is pointing out to the Pharisees that these exceptions for divorce should not be their focus – but rather HOW TO AVOID SIN - and how to stay attached to God’s will – should be their focus – FOR EVERYONE – the married, the single, the divorced, and especially for religious leaders – Jesus always likes to poke the bears!
    Another context for our Gospel reading is to remember that in Jesus’ day – only MEN could bring about a divorce – NOT women.
    So in the house, with his disciples, Jesus makes it clear that for him, and those who want to follow after him – that it works both ways – he specifically says “whoever divorces his wife” – but also says “if she divorces her husband.”
    The creation story of man and woman does not create a hierarchy of men over women – it creates a partnership of equality – and in the debate over divorce – Jesus reminds his disciples of this.
    This is that radical inclusiveness of Jesus at work again – and in this way we can say that Jesus expands the understanding of marriage in saying that it is a partnership of equals.
    St. Paul reminded us of this teaching weeks ago in his letter to the Ephesins when he called upon husbands to “love their wives.” – Radical teaching in an age when society still viewed women as possessions – rather than the human beings they are.
    There is no Council in the Church, and no teaching coming from the Church – that changed the way we Catholics understand marriage more – than the teachings which came out of the Second Vatican Council. . .
    In its document on the Church in the Modern World – one of 16 documents that were approved by the Bishops of the world gathered in Rome during the 4 council sessions – the Church states such things as:
    “The two married partners render mutual service to each other through their love and daily life, leading them to total fidelity and unbreakable oneness.”  Art. 48

    “It is for this reason that the Church treats marriage as a Sacrament, a sign of God’s faithful love of us, and a source of grace for the partners.”  Art. 48
    And in its Constitution on the Church the Council proclaims:
    “Those called to matrimony live especially close to the unity and fruitful love that exists between Christ and the Church.  
    In fact, those who receive this Sacrament, by reason of their state and rank in life, have their own special gift among the people of God.”
    This is the FIRST time EVER - the Church speaks in terms of marriage being a vocation – 
just as important, just as holy, just as nobel, just as special – as a vocation to the priesthood or religious life!
    In the same Constitution on the Church, it is proclaimed that the “family setting is its own kind of Church, a sort of domestic Church.  In this household setting, where relationships are the stuff of everyday life, for better or for worse – members ought to witness to each other and teach each other to listen to the Spirit prompting them in their hearts.”
    Time and again, the documents of Vatican II remind us that all of us are called to holiness and lives of grace – which fits our School Theme for the year:  Saints in the making.  
    Our relationships, especially marriage and life within a family – should help us become saints!
    I feel compelled to say one more thing about marriage and divorce.  And I invite you to listen carefully – divorced Catholics CAN receive Communion.  Let me repeat that because I encounter this misunderstanding all the time – Divorced Catholics CAN receive the Eucharist.
    Divorce is not the issue – it is usually remarriage outside the Church – without seeking an annulment – which is the issue that keeps people from the Eucharist.
    Somebody today in this place – or someone you know – needs to hear that.
    May the Spirit of God – continue to move us to shatter all that would bind us – and keep us from living holy, and grace-filled lives.  AMEN!

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