The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that resolution of the tension between loving as Jesus models and our best efforts requires ongoing endurance.
Best Efforts
The reading from the Letter of James offers advice on patience and oaths.
* [5:7–11] Those oppressed by the unjust rich are reminded of the need for patience, both in bearing the sufferings of human life (Jas 5:9) and in their expectation of the coming of the Lord. It is then that they will receive their reward (Jas 5:7–8, 10–11; cf. Heb 10:25; 1 Jn 2:18).1
Psalm 103 is thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.
* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22).2
The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus teaching to the Pharisees about divorce.
* [10:2–9] In the dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees on the subject of divorce, Jesus declares that the law of Moses permitted divorce (Dt 24:1) only because of the hardness of your hearts (Mk 10:4–5). In citing Gn 1:27 and 2:24 Jesus proclaims permanence to be the divine intent from the beginning concerning human marriage (Mk 10:6–8). He reaffirms this with the declaration that what God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mk 10:9). See further the notes on Mt 5:31–32; 19:3–9.3
Angela Maynard invites us to consider what it means to live out the promise to love one another until death do us part.
Take some time to remember commitments you’ve made, particularly to another human—relationships. Do I offer grace to the other? Am I reasonable in my expectations of the other? What am I doing to maintain the health of the relationship? Rely on those who are trying to keep similar commitments for guidance and support. Above all, keep Jesus as the center of the relationship and ask him to provide guidance and protection in the good bad times and the rough times.4
Don Schwager quotes “Mutual servants, equally serving,” by Tertullian, 160-225 A.D.
"Where are we to find language adequately to express the happiness of that marriage which the church cements, the oblation confirms, the benediction signs and seals, the angels celebrate, and the Father holds as approved? For all around the earth young people do not rightly and lawfully wed without their parents' consent. What kind of yoke is that of two believers who share one hope, one desire, one discipline, one service? (Ephesians 4:4) They enjoy kinship in spirit and in flesh. They are mutual servants with no discrepancy of interests. Truly they are 'two in one flesh' (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31). Where the flesh is one, the spirit is one as well. Together they pray, together bow down, together perform their fasts, mutually teaching, mutually entreating, mutually upholding. In the church of God they hold an equal place. (Romans 12:15; 15:6; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12) They stand equally at the banquet of God, equally in crises, equally facing persecutions, and equally in refreshments. Neither hides anything from the other. Neither neglects the other. Neither is troublesome to the other (Philippians 1:27)."(excerpt from TO HIS WIFE 2.8)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:1-12 comments that it is easy to fall into a limited mindset and become functional in our relationship with God. We might focus on fulfilling requirements rather than loving God. We might focus on avoiding his punishment rather than loving him and honoring him for all he has done for us. We may not consciously say it, but it’s almost like a husband or wife asking, “What’s the bare minimum I have to do to stay married?”
Every day, God looks at you and asks, “How much can I bless my son or daughter?” He wants to show you that “as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness” (Psalm 103:11). What are your thoughts toward God today? If you catch yourself asking, “How little must I do?” stop and remember how generous he is. Call to mind the many times God has blessed you. Turn to him with words of love. Then ask the Spirit to help you to express your love in action. How much can you do to love God and his people today? “Jesus, help me to love you with all my heart.”6
Friar Jude Winkler compares the parenesis in the Letter of James to the advice a parent offers a child leaving home to work or study. Hardness of heart is challenged in lasting loving relationships. Friar Jude expresses the difficulty in steps explored by Pope Francis to welcome divorced people into the community.
James Finley uses the teachings of Spanish mystic Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) as a starting point to talk about intimacy with God. She says to us, “You know, you’re seeking union with God, which is a grace to desire this.” And it is helpful to know, in the light of faith, that you and God are already one in the intimate and mysterious sense in which God is creating you as God’s self-donating love. God makes your very soul, that is, your very essence of who you are as a person created by God in the image and likeness of God, to be a relational mystery with God. That in your very soul, the very mystery of who you are and the very mystery of who God is are already intertwined.
I think a way of maybe getting at this, too, is to say, when two people love each other very, very much, when we’re in love with and deeply love someone, we might say that in our love for them, we see their soul. That is, we see in our love for them, the preciousness of who they are, like the innermost depths of the gift and the miracle of their presence. . . .7
Our best efforts, guided by the Spirit, are called forth to deepen the love that holds our relationships with others together.
References
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