During their journey to the promised land, the people in the wilderness complained about the food, weather, their companions, spouses, and even Moses. In his wisdom, Moses composed rules to set community boundaries, achieve peace, and avoid conflict by allowing males to reject their partners.
Twelve hundred years later, the Pharisees sought Jesus’ interpretation of one of those precepts, which concerned ending a marriage to be with a new partner, leaving the abandoned spouse without rights or support in their society.
Jesus emphasizes to the Pharisees: Moses allowed divorce due to your hard hearts, but God intended unity from the start.
Couples are so different yet complementary. Each helps the other see new perspectives. Neither is greater, but they bring out the best in each other. You cannot be me, though being you makes the best me when we are together.
The Pharisees, though, are more inclined to divide: Your uniqueness is dangerous, and “we, the guardians of the Law,” will find reasons to criticize, deride, separate, abandon, and condemn.
God’s dream, a vision of unity, is that no one is left alone without security or tenderness. God’s name, from the beginning, is “He-who-joins,” and his work is to create communion.
Amid life’s unpredictability, some relationships end, people pass away, others struggle to keep going, some face inner obstacles, and hearts shatter. However, Jesus is always close to those who are experiencing emotional distress. Jesus’ comforting presence and our support offer hope and solace to those with broken hearts.