Dear Parishioners,

Last week, we heard in the Gospel that Jesus corrected the law given by Moses on divorce. Moses allowed for divorce because of the hardness of the heart of the people. Meanwhile, Jesus points out that this was not the way marriage was from the beginning and seeks to restore the original meaning of marriage: a oneflesh union that cannot be dissolved by human beings. On the surface these two points of views of marriage seem to be at odds. How can God allow a certain action and later ban it? We can easily say that we do not follow the old laws since they apply to being members of the ancient nation of Israel. However, if we now say that all divorce is wrong, then why would God allow people to sin? On the other hand, if He allowed divorce for the ancient Israelites, couldn’t He allow it now?

First, we have to understand the different historical circumstances that these two passages were written in. In Exodus, Moses was dealing with a people in their infancy serving the Lord. They easily fell into idolatry and complained against God. So, by God’s judgment they were given certain allowances since they were not able to follow the full extent of God’s will. Even now it is good for someone trapped in habitual sin to cut down on the frequency of that sin even if they have not fully broken from that sin.

Second, Jesus comes to fulfill the law, not abolish it. Jesus Christ is the fullness of the truth and leads us into all truth. So, just like in the Sermon on the Mount, He is restoring the law to God’s original intent. Even today, Catholics can support laws that are not perfect in order to promote the common good. For example,every Catholic should be against abortion because it is murder. However, a Catholic could support a law that limits abortion even if it is not a full ban. It is not bad to limit abortion. But it is ideal to ban it.

Third, our Lord now gives us the fullness of the law and therefore gives us the grace to follow it. So that means there is no chance for Him to reverse it without contradicting Himself. May we all see the Lord’s commands are not burdens but the means of loving Him with our whole hearts.

God Bless!

Fr. Carter