Word to the Wise
Thursday, February 13, 2025 - Thursday in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 2:18-25 and Mark 7:24-30]"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." This is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh. [Genesis]
FEBRUARY 13 BL. JORDAN OF SAXONY op
Did you ever notice that of all God's creatures, including the man, the only one NOT formed from dirt is woman? The "suitable partner" came from a living being. The complementary 'partnership' of male and female is the completion of what is meant by 'humanity.' This partnership is capable, like all living parts of God's creation, of participating in God's work of creation through procreation. But the human person has been given a particular gift: LOVE. Human procreation is meant from the very beginning to be a matter of love expressed in a lifelong union. Yes, a relationship of a non-procreative nature between man and woman is possible and can be profound, but it is of a different kind. The same is true between males and between females. Friendship is a great gift, too! The role of "procreation", however, belongs to the marital union - a lifelong, exclusive union of love and procreation.
Jesus calls attention to the teaching from Genesis in his prohibition of divorce when challenged on the subject by his adversaries. [Matthew 19:3-12]. He also points out that not everyone can "accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted." The human record of "acceptance" of Jesus' teaching is very mixed indeed, even among Catholics! New programs of "discernment" and premarital preparation have become part of Catholic life in this country, at least. But, the consequences of the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil reach marriage as well, and no program of preparation can replace human determination to honor and live the GIFT of marital love. AMEN