"In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus answers the Pharisees by saying there is no objection that will justify divorce. Not what they expected to hear. Without doubt one of the hard sayings of Jesus. We as faithful sons and daughters of the Church must follow the Church’s guidance in these matters. However, following the teaching of the Church, we can never leave behind or become insensitive to those who have been unable to do so. The people sitting next you are among those divorced. Their pain is real. They are our brothers and sisters. We should reach out in comfort and double our efforts to love. It makes no sense to spend time judging. It is clear from the Gospel passage read today that Jesus wants to make marital stability a priority. What has happened has happened. What we ought to do is put more energy into saving the marriages that exist. That’s exactly what Jesus wants us to do. He wants each of us, those of you who are engaged in marriage, who are in a marriage right now to develop the specific skills necessary in order to stay together. We can argue all we want why some divorces are necessary or why some marriages should be dissolved, but the bottom line is this. You cannot argue with the Word of God. Jesus wants marriages to last.
As your pastor, it is more than a little frustrating that so many of you fail to seek help until there is no other resort. Listen. It is wiser to seek help sooner than later. Little things eventually become big things. The movement from committed love to barely holding on takes place in baby steps not quantum leaps. Let me offer you some observations this morning. Let me clearly state I am no psychological. Nor am I a professional social worker. I am something better. I am a priest. So what I offer you is observations from a priestly heart. Take it for what it’s worth. The fist observation that I think works against the Sacrament of Marriage is unrealistic expectations."
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