Pastor's Letter 20211003 - 03 October 2021 - Unshakable Fidelity

[Father Michael]

 

October 3^rd, 2021

27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The wedding feast at Cana (Tintoretto)

A Message from Father _†Michael

Today’s Theme:  

“Unshakable Fidelity”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

In keeping with their conviction in God’s creation of all existing species, the Genesis authors’ theological and poetic accounts of the creation of the universe and of humanity were not intended as scientific analyses of the then-known world.  Our First Reading, today _{(Genesis 2:18-24,)}spells out the manner in which woman’s equality and partnership with man comes from the same substance (or species, or nature) but defies precise definition—i.e., men and women have the same number of ribs.  (There is a relationship to the ancient Sumerian, where the same word designates “rib,” and “life.”)  Not legislated or revealed by God, her relationship to the man was expressed in his triple enunciation: “bone of my bone…” “flesh of my flesh…” “woman.”  Becoming “one flesh” means more than physical union.  The bond of marriage was thought of as one ordained by God Himself, and as such, was indissoluble.

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Solidarity is the key to understanding our Second Reading _{(Hebrews 2:9-11.)}  It is one of the major themes of the letter.  By virtue of His incarnation, Jesus so united Himself to the human condition that He became one with all who suffer; suffered for the sake of all; and even experienced the ultimate human crisis—death.  In so doing, He became part of time and space to affect the redemption of all people, and all the redeemed are free to enter by faith into solidarity with Him, as brothers and sisters of the one Father.

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As a recognized teacher, with some following, it is not surprising that Jesus was quizzed by the Pharisees on the subject of divorce _{(Mark 10:2-26.)}  But those who questioned Him were most likely concerned with His opinion on the controversy about divorce, which centered on the Mosaic law, wherein a man could divorce his wife for adultery _{(Deuteronomy 24:1-4.)}  Further, other permissible Old Testament causes could include poor cooking, or if the woman spoke to a strange man in public, griped about her in-laws in her husband’s presence, and so on.  Jesus lifted the issue to a higher level, declaring the Mosaic text to be a dispensation from the law, or a concession that became acceptable in light of the “hard hearts” of the people.  Jesus forced the attention of His listeners first, inward to their own insensitivity to God’s challenge to morality; and then outward, to the greater principle of God’s basic plan of creation.  

The Marriage Commitment

Modern life, with all its complex difficulties for interpersonal relationships has had no small effect on the marital union.  So many people, having been inadequately prepared for commitment to another person, enter blithely into nuptials without truly understanding its demands.  Therefore, many marriages simply do not “work out.”  Rather than condemn the participants to lives of mental (and sometimes physical,) misery, together; or, celibacy, after having parted; a more conciliatory view must be applied.  Paramount in such cases is the presence of a loving and supportive community.  In our rapidly changing world, most people question many values.  It’s not surprising that one of them is commitment to a lasting marriage.  Throughout history, the outlook on marriage has changed with changing cultures.  The patriarchal marriage view of the Bible is no longer how most people in the modern worldview it.  The point at issue becomes, “How can marriage be “changed,” and what constitutes its core?  Is there some elements that cannot be called into question?”  Our Lord’s statement: “What God has joined together, no human being must separate” _{(Matthew 19-6,)} is the “rule” most Christians follow.  Of course, this begs the question, in certain circumstances, when or if, “God has joined” some couples together.  In those cases, where uninformed, or even malicious motives of one or both partners can be determined, provisions for separation are outlined in Church law.  The New Testament gives Church officials authority to make concessions for annulment that are pastorally necessary, and address the mindset of the partners at the point of their promises.  Since there is no “crystal ball” for discerning someone’s innermost thoughts, it remains to observe their behavior to determine them.  One who treats marriage as a “convenience,” rather than a commitment, would be such an example.  Another would be if one partner decides to be blatantly unfaithful to the marriage bond, and commits adultery, thus destroying “trust” between the partners.  At such times, the question then becomes, “should the parties remain together, irreconcilable differences notwithstanding,” or should they pursue separate lives?  These are not simple considerations, nor are they without their share of public stigmata and consternation. Those devout Christians who have faced such dilemmas can attest to the difficulty of such a decision, and its aftermath.  If children are present, the difficulties are compounded.  

God made us for love—to receive it and to give it.  However, the ability to love is not something that is given to a couple on their wedding day with all the other gifts!   Love is an attitude that has to be learned.   The real journey married couples have to make—and not just them, but single people, too—is that from selfishness to love….  Nothing is a greater challenge to love—nothing provides a greater opportunity for growth in it—than marriage.  Successful marriage requires a substantial amount of maturity.  Goldfish in a bowl get along rather easily.  But when two human beings come together, often many problems develop.  They bring their strengths, weakness, loves, hates, hurts, wounds, hopes and fears with them….

It must be said that the difficulties married couples encounter can become opportunities for growth!  There is more depth to a relationship that has weathered some “storms.”  In my counseling sessions with couples struggling with their problems, the most pronounced is a lack of communication.  But, luckily, that can be remedied, if the partners are realistic.   Oftentimes, this occurs due to immaturity, and when insecurities surface in the marriage, becoming the source of withholding deeply felt opinions, wants and desires.  The fear of exposing one’s deepest feelings of inadequacy with one’s spouse prevents routine “clearing of the air” between the partners.  It is so commonplace that many esteemed practitioners of marital counseling have written volumes on this aspect of interpersonal discourse, far beyond what I can express here.  

But perhaps the most difficult situation to overcome, and the second most oft-encountered difficulty I’ve discovered, is the breakage of the bond of trust in a marriage, due to adultery.  Barring an herculean sense of forgiveness, and without basic trust, no possible reconciliation can occur, and as such, this is the number one reason for failure in most marriages.  

However, all that being said, when people can yield to an honest, unassuming hope in the power of love, and with strength that can be gained in prayerful meditation, the Spirit of God has promised to offer solutions to virtually all problems found in marital unions.    

May God Richly Bless You!

To view a live stream of today's Mass, click here:  _{https://www.facebook.com/michael.schamp.9/videos/460253388558672/}

When two individuals blend in a totally complementary relationship, that union forms the nucleus of a viable society.  Blessed by God, their covenant is integral to His divine creation _(Genesis.)  Called to respect and support that bond, Christians are challenged to a radical idealism and a seemingly “suprahuman” generosity _(†Mark.)  Strength, vision and grace are available to all in the caring love of our brother, Jesus _(Hebrews.)

Great is the Lord.mp3

Edited October 3, 2021 by Father Michael