This week’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. Once upon a time, TV shows portrayed an idyllic view of relationships and family dynamics, with love restored and nice resolutions, all in under thirty minutes! More recently, writers have offered a more nuanced and complex view of how relationships are often messy. This week’s gospel text can be an opportunity to acknowledge that relationships are often difficult and sometimes even broken because life is not a sitcom. Yet, into that complexity, Jesus shows up to remind us that we are still blessed and bound together in his love.
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