Let Every One Accept This Who Can

This meditation is based on a passage for June 19, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Matthew 19:1-12

Reflection and Question: Both Matthew and Mark (10:1-12) share the story of this encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees. What the Pharisees are trying to do is trip Jesus up. Instead, Jesus uses their question to make a serious point about the centrality of fidelity in marriage, giving us the classic line often used at the end of a marriage ceremony, “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” When the disciples comment on how difficult this is for us and exclaim it might be better not to marry, Jesus seems to agree. He muses about “eunuchs,” those who do not marry, which was, indeed, His own choice. What is Jesus asking us to accept?

Prayer: Jesus, our one Teacher and Example, inspire our hearts with an understanding of Your meaning in these conversations with the Pharisees and with Your disciples. Sustain our fidelity in marriage or our promise of celibacy, we pray. Amen.