Falling Into A Divorce

Some people asked Jesus, "Is it okay for us
to get a divorce? Moses let us." Jesus told them: "Moses taught that divorce was okay because
you were going to do it anyway. But when God created people, God made men and women
different so they could be together."

Your parents never wanted you to rollerblade. It took forever for you to convince them - and they still don't let you leave the house without your helmet, knee pads and elbow pads.

Every kid has a story like that: You want to do some sport or activity your parents think is dangerous; and even if they finally let you try it, you know they're never excited about it!

In a way, divorce is like rollerblading. In this week's Gospel (Mark 10:2-16), Jesus explains how.

Just like rollerblading or riding an ATV was never your parents' idea, Jesus says that people getting divorced was never what God planned. Like your parents, God wants people to be safe and happy.

Sometimes, a kid gets an itch to try a new activity. Your parents shake their heads, but you know that you can handle rollerblades or an ATV. It's not your parents' idea, but they give in eventually.

Divorce hurts more than falling off your blades. Lots of people are involved: not just the ones getting divorced, but their families and friends. It's sometimes necessary, but a divorce is always painful.

In the Gospel story, Jesus reminded people that Moses knew they'd get divorced, so he tried to make the fall as gentle as possible. Jesus said that God always hoped couples wouldn't divorce. 

If you're going to rollerblade, Jesus would want your falls to be gentle, too.

(10/01/09)