OUR SUNDAY’S IN OCTOBER 2009

Our readings from Mark’s Gospel can be used to speak to many moral issues, such as the relationship between men and women, marriage, adultery, divorce and same sex marriage. While all of these need addressing, this is not the forum for that. These readings are very apt to be misunderstood. They must be approached from the larger context of the message of Jesus Christ.

Many families have suffered the agony of divorce. Jesus is very clear about divorce, but again, the context must be noted. To whom is Jesus speaking? He is not speaking to those who are divorced – He is speaking to a group of Pharisees, a group of religious lawyers. These are legalists who have challenged Jesus on legalistic grounds, and He responds in kind. He responds with the Law. His concern is that the Pharisees are too shortsighted. They know that God created marriage from the beginning of creation that it is part of creation – part of God’s plan. The Pharisee’s are trying to use the law to find an easy path – but Jesus is going to take the right path – the “God path”. How to avoid sin and how to stay attached to God’s Will should be the main concern.

Another context for Mark’s Gospel is to remember that while women could be charged with adultery, men could not, except in particular circumstances. Jesus made it clear to His disciples that in His mind women and men both could commit adultery. 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.

Children were on the lowest rung of society’s ladder. Infant mortality was so high – upwards of 60 percent of children died infancy – they even waited until the “eighth day” to bring a newborn to the temple. That meant that maybe the child had a chance. It was only then that the child was dedicated and publicly given a name. Although children were dearly loved by their parents they had no “right” to be around adults. But Jesus blessed the children – Jesus gave them “status”.

Here is another example to help look at the larger context of the Scriptures. Just six years ago, in its September 16, 2003 issue, Newsweek reported that 35,000 children under the age of five die each day from hunger. It was then estimated that 2 ½ billion dollars could then that horrible number. Yet, in the same year, 2003, Americans spent 2 ½ billion dollars on chewing gum!

Living by God’s Will is not easy; it requires great humility and possibly even suffering. We must remember the context of our creation: We were made in love for love. This is the source of our moral law within. This is the context for our living.

The Most Rev. John P. Walzer, D.D.
Archbishop