The fruit of marriage is not just
for the good of the couple but for the good of the whole community. Jesus’
teaching this weekend reflects not just on the reality of daily living but that
a sacramental life reflects the glory of God present in flesh and blood. It is a
sign that God does not abandon his people but allows them to encounter his
blessing in our own lifetime. We see that each person is given a commission
which enables them to be sacramentally present to the other. This is never more
clearly seen in the love of a man and a woman in sacramental marriage. It is
not a blessing just reserved for the couple but it allows others to encounter
the blessing of God in the way that couple become missionaries of God’s grace
to their own children and to the broader community.
Yet we also know in our own
community the difficulties that people face when couples divorce. This not only
effects them but also their children and the broader community. The ripples of
this are felt very deeply by people who have hoped for a relationship which
would be lifelong, faithful and exclusive. As a Church community it calls us to
walk with people who have experienced divorce who are often feeling not only
deeply hurt but also who discover their own frailty. How can we assist people
not only to encounter God but also encounter a Church community who is willing
to walk them? Also how do we help young people to discover the reality of a
sacramental life in a world which is often jaded and whose confidence in a lifelong
relationship of love and mutuality is so badly shaken?
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