Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16
In studying and praying with today’s scriptures I found a bit of a challenge. Although the scriptures are strongly united in the image of sacramental marriage, I pondered that perhaps there was something deeper going on here and marriage is simply one example of this deeper teaching. This was especially so because Mark has sandwiched this brief passage about “accepting and becoming like little children” (Mark 10:14-15) between the question about divorce and remarriage and the question of earthly possessions.
As I pondered this I came to the awareness that in all of these brief encounters with Jesus, Mark is impressing upon us a general principle of discipleship. Specifically Mark is teaching us that the one who follows Jesus must not look for concessions. Discipleship, like marriage, is an all-or-nothing proposition. Discipleship, like marriage, cannot be entered into lightly or blindly, only deliberately and heavily fortified with prayer. Being a follower of Jesus requires that we give our heart completely to the call.
The sacrament of marriage is an excellent image of discipleship because it is a symbol of our relationship as church with Christ. Marriage, our Church has always taught, has two ends or purposes, unity and procreation.   This means then, that by analogy, two of the ends or purposes of faith would be unity and procreation. It is true that faith unites us with Christ and with one another, and so unity is clearly one purpose of faith. But what about procreation?  The faith that has been given to us is not to be kept to ourselves. It is to be shared with others. If we do not share our faith it does not produce the fruits intended and so authentically lived faith is procreative in that it produces faith in the lives of others.
But In marriage, and in our free-thinking attitudes towards human sexuality in our culture, unity and procreation are often seen as two unrelated issues. This is partly due to the contraceptive mentality which has divorced these two ends from each other. People want the unitive dimension of human sexuality without the procreative dimension. People want the pleasures of marriage without the fullness of the responsibilities. This has led further to people entering marriage with a self-centered notion. I want what I can get out of marriage, and if my spouse doesn’t give that to me, then I will find another.
Divorcing unity from procreation is simply false. We would find it utterly ridiculous to say that the only purpose for human sexuality is procreation. We simply could not accept that. Why then, would we accept the reverse position promoted by our culture that the only purpose for human sexuality is the pleasure of unity.
We cannot deny the fact that this attitude of sex without procreation has fueled and perpetuated the demand for abortion in our nation. This attitude is also one of the contributing factors for our high divorce rate. When we do not do things according to God’s plan, we shut off the flow of grace. Without that graced relationship with God we cannot succeed in anything in this world.
And so why is it that we so readily accept false teachings? Why is it that we are so quick to live our lives contrary to God’s will? I believe the answer lies in Jesus’ response to the Pharisees; “Because of the hardness of your hearts . . .” (Mark 10:5). And this I believe is what Mark is really trying to impress upon us as a condition of being a disciple.
As disciples of Jesus we must have no hardness in our hearts. First, we must acknowledge our own sinfulness, our own need for Christ’s grace and mercy. This is because sin hardens our heart and prevents us from being like Christ.
As Christians we must also open our hearts and extend God’s mercy to others, especially those who have harmed us in any way. We must be willing to forgive them from our hearts.
We must also extend God’s mercy to those who are caught up in the web of sin, addiction, or abusive behaviors. We must recognize the brokenness that is their hearts and extend a helping hand when it is within our power to do so. The least we should do is pray for them commending them to God’s mercy.
We must open our hearts in compassion to those who have experienced the pain of divorce, or the death of a spouse, helping them to heal from the death they are experiencing; the death of their marriage; the death of their hopes and dreams.
We must open our hearts to neglected or unwanted children, and vulnerable adults, working to provide safety and security for them.
We must open our hearts to the poor and the homeless, the under and unemployed, helping to provide for their earthly needs.
We must open our hearts to those who have committed violent crimes, entrusting them to God’s mercy and forgiveness.
We must open our hearts to the women and men who have chosen an abortion, helping them to heal from the profound grief and guilt that has hardened their hearts.
We must open our hearts to abortion providers and advocates in the hope that whatever has closed their hearts to the sanctity of life will be removed.
As disciples of Jesus we must give our hearts fully to the Lord who knows our heart and its ways. So in this Eucharist, let us invite the Lord into our hearts that he might heal any wounds and hardness that is there because of sin. Let us allow the Lord to soften our hearts, that we might be merciful towards others, as he is merciful towards us. Let us ask for the Lord’s grace that we might give our hearts fully to our call as his disciples.
