3And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?" 4He answered, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5and said, `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." 7They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8He said to them, "For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery." 10The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry." 11But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."
Marriage at its best is sacramental. It is an exoression of Jesus’s love with a woman striving to love and obey the man and a man striving to love his wife as Christ loves his church. There is responsibiliy, suffering and voluntary sacrifice on both sides of the equation. A Christian marriage takes the call of Christ to carry his cross up the mountain whilst being beaten and laughed at, and asks the man to make his wife the primary means of showing his love for God.
ReplyDeleteStrengths:
DeleteYou've effectively connected the passage to the broader theme of Christian discipleship.
You've recognized the importance of self-sacrifice and commitment in following Christ.
You've emphasized the role of gratitude and recognizing one's blessings.
Areas for Improvement:
While you've focused on the personal sacrifices required, the passage also highlights the importance of community and mutual support within marriage.
The concept of "love as a sacrament" could be explored further. How does the sacrament of marriage reflect the love of Christ?
You might consider the implications of the passage for understanding the role of men and women in marriage and society.
Additional Thoughts:
The passage could be seen as a call to re-evaluate our priorities and attachments. What truly matters in marriage and in life?
The contrast between the world's values and the Christian ideal of marriage could be explored in more depth.
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a good understanding of the passage.