Readings: Joshua 24:1-13; Psalm 136; Matthew 19:3-12
In today’s Gospel, we have a very clear teaching of Christ on the dignity and properties of marriage. Marriage is divine, the bond is indissoluble and those who enter into it enter into a partnership of the whole life, a sacred relationship of unity and love.
However, even though the main teaching of Jesus is on marriage, there are many other points that we can reflect on from this text. I will call our attention to three:
I. The supreme authority of the Scriptures
During the time of Jesus, the issue of the indissolubility of marriage was a hot debate. There were many schools of thought by many rabbis and then the authority of Moses. The Pharisees asked Jesus His own thoughts and He referred them to the Scriptures. Thus, He testified to the authority of the Scripture as a valid source and measure of truth. The answers to many questions and solutions to much confusion, revelations that can transform and the information that can liberate, can all be found in the Scriptures. Let us not be ignorant of it.
From the speech of Joshua in today’s First Reading, we can see that he is a man seasoned in the Word of God and it reflected in the wisdom in His speech. Again, knowledge of God’s Word makes us very wise. (Psalm 119:98).
II. Being unteachable.
To those who alluded to the permission that Moses gave them, Jesus said it was because they were so unteachable. Let us pause and reflect here:
Are we teachable?
Do we accept lessons with humility and corrections with good spirit?
Do we allow God’s Word to mold us?
Do we follow instructions or are we willful?
Are we really teachable?
Are we open to learning or new ways of doing things or are we too stiff, rigid, comfortable, and unwilling to explore new, better and more positive ways of doing things?
III. Eunuchs for the kingdom
Jesus said that some people choose to be eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom. This shows how far some people are willing to go or let go to be part of God’s kingdom. Some accepted the loss of lives, properties, relationships, privileges etc. for the sake of the kingdom.
How important is the kingdom to us in our daily lives and choices?
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on August 18, 2023