How many preachers will feel called to preach on … anything but Mark 10:2-16 this week? There are some lovely alternatives in the Revised Common Lectionary, and the PC(USA)’s Special Offerings office has chosen some verses from Zechariah for this week’s focus on Peace and Global Witness. My congregation currently follows the Narrative Lectionary, and I’ll confess that I agreed to write this lectionary reflection before I looked at the RCL texts. Friends, God indeed has a sense of humor. We could avoid it, but that doesn’t erase Jesus’ teaching on divorce as told by Mark, or the harm that the church has done. Ignoring it won’t lighten the weight of judgment – real or perceived – that is often felt by those who have been divorced, whatever the reasons may be. People will be listening, and silence can speak volumes. The preacher might lean on contextual differences. At the time of this teaching, women and children had no power and few rights. They were economically, physically and socially dependent on the male head of household, father or husband. Biblical law allowed for a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away, with few exceptions. The wife had no legal recourse to contest the divorce. Nor could a woman divorce her husband. Jesus’ response focuses on the Mosaic law but also reflects Roman law, which permitted women to divorce their husbands. Marital expectations and family life were quite different during Jesus’ life, too. Marriage offered protection and stability, especially for women and children. That would have factored into Jesus’ teaching on divorce. It’s consistent with his admonishments – and with the Hebrew Scriptures – to care for the most vulnerable. It also makes sense considering the verses following it. All that being said, this prohibition of divorce goes beyond what was legal and who needs to be protected. According to Mark, Jesus’ teaching on marriage is clear and absolute. Marriage is ordained and sealed by God. Once a couple is united by God, there is no separation. That’s why Jesus argues that remarriage after divorce is the same as committing adultery. Matthew’s Gospel adds a little wiggle room (Matthew 5:31-32), but here, Jesus allows no exceptions.
By this definition, I’m sure I won’t be the only adulterer in the pulpit. I am the child of divorce, and my kids are children of divorce. It’s hard and complicated. ...
Thanks to this week's writer Rev. Stephanie Sorge.
Read the rest of the commentary on the website. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment