Male-Female Marriage: What No Human Being Must Separate

Kengor_Catholic_No Human Being Must Seperate_060413

Among the Gospel readings last month was Mark 10:1-12. It’s a passage we know well, that we hear at almost every wedding ceremony.

Crowds gather around Jesus. The Pharisees press upon him. They ask if it’s lawful for a man to divorce his wife. They are testing Jesus. An exchange follows regarding Moses and the law. Jesus then gives a universal, timeless statement on man, woman, and marriage. He states: “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

marriage 2We’ve typically read that passage in the context of divorce.  But like most things in Scripture, it has multiple profound meanings. There is a larger eternal principle enunciated here.

Today, in current culture, the passage is especially fitting in light of the fanatical push for so-called “gay marriage.” As male-male marriage and female-female marriage is heartily embraced and advanced by America and by Americans, by many Christians and by many Catholics, they are separating an institution that God joined together. They are tearing asunder what God ordained.

Jesus said that God made them male and female, hearkening back to the Garden of Eden, to Genesis, to creation. For that reason, said Jesus, a man and woman leave their parents and come together as husband and wife, becoming one flesh. They are no longer two flesh but one. We have long understood this as God’s plan for marriage. This is marriage—and let no human being separate it.

Well, those human beings today demanding or supporting the marriage of man and man or woman and woman are separating God’s intention. I don’t know about you, but that’s something I prefer not to do. I have enough to answer for already. I’ll let you “gay marriage” supporters argue that one with God.

For Catholic Exchange dot com and Ave Maria Radio, I’m Paul Kengor.

 

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Dr. Paul Kengor is professor of political science at Grove City College and executive director of The Center for Vision & Values. His books include “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism” and “Dupes: How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century.”

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