RBWords

     Jesus' teaching on divorce seems almost as hard as his teaching on non-violence in the Sermon on the Mount.  The Pharisees took the position (at least in this account) that divorce was permissible because the Mosaic Law permitted it.  The only question for them was the permissible grounds for it.  Jesus tells them that Moses was mistaken.  Marriage is part of the original order of creation and no human legislation can change that fact.  It is equally a fact that humans have tried to do just that - i.e. go against the original order of creation.  That's how Adam and Eve acted and the results have been with us every day since.

     That being said, human legislation, especially the church kind,  that punishes those who divorce also seems to me to go against Jesus' teaching about forgiveness and mercy.  That is what I hear in the preaching of Pope Francis in his document, Amoris Laetitia, especially in the controversial eighth paragraph.  He advocates a merciful accompaniment to see if there is a way to honor the original order of creation and, at the same time, recognize human weakness in living with it.  The reaction in some Catholic circles was anything BUT merciful, as if they would never have taken a bite out of that fateful apple!

     I have presided at many a sacramental celebration of marriage.  Sadly,some of these unions, entered with such celebration and joy,  have not lasted.  The reasons are as varied as the people who entered these commitments.  None of this changes the original order of creation - one man, one woman, for life and open to offspring.  But neither is Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and mercy changed.  Our church must recognize the consequences of the forms of punishment that we visit on those who divorce and ask how these forms promote the original order of creation or Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and mercy.  AMEN