27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gen 2:18-24
Heb 2:9-11
Mk 10:2-16
Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.
Today’s readings are often chosen by couples for their wedding masses. I may have selected one of these passages at my own wedding years ago. That marriage lasted only a year. Looking back, I see many reasons why it didn’t endure. Today, these readings leave me feeling unsettled. Were our hearts so cold and far from God that we failed to heed His words? “What God has joined together, no human being must separate.” It makes me wonder if, in our brokenness, we missed something greater in the promise we made.
“Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her…Because of the hardness of your hearts, he wrote you this commandment.”
Today, divorce is as casual as discarding an old shirt—like ‘Marie Kondo-ing’ a relationship that no longer sparks joy. But isn’t marriage supposed to be one of the most significant decisions we make in life? A serious commitment, a sacred bond?
Recently, I found myself in disbelief while reading about Jennifer Lopez reportedly filing for divorce from Ben Affleck after just two years of marriage. This comes after 20 years apart, following a broken engagement in the early 2000s. She’s had four husbands now. I don’t say this to judge or diminish the pain she may have endured in her relationships—divorce is never easy. But I can’t help but wonder how difficult it must be to go through that emotional upheaval repeatedly. It’s a reminder of how complex and fragile human relationships can be, and how important it is to approach marriage with care, intention, and respect for its weight and meaning.
What was God’s intent for marriage? It is defined as a sacred bond where a man and woman become “one flesh.” Divorce, then, disrupts this unity. While some relationships, including Catholic marriages, inevitably break down, the Church maintains that divorce, as the termination of a valid marriage, cannot be recognized. God allowed divorce due to human shortcomings, but it was never His intention for marriage to end this way. Instead, marriage was designed as a lifelong commitment.
However, why should a couple remain in a marriage filled with pain? Why should one partner stay when the other has been unfaithful? It seems unfair. Couples can undergo a civil divorce and move on, but not within the Church. An annulment is the only recourse, and this concept often puzzles me. An annulment is a legal process declaring a marriage null and void, based on the premise that it was never valid from the start.
This puzzles me even more.
Here’s what I’ve learned: An annulment examines the circumstances before and during a marriage, focusing on problems that may have made the marriage impossible. If these issues are serious enough, the marriage is deemed null and void, meaning it never truly occurred.
So, in the case of infidelity, the couple may decide to separate, but the Church still considers them married, as it does not recognize divorce as ending the sacramental bond. However, in seeking an annulment, one might argue that the marriage was invalid from the beginning due to significant deficiencies, such as a lack of fidelity or intention to uphold the vows.
Complex. I know.
What I do understand is that in any marriage, as in any relationship, there will be ups and downs. Committing oneself to another for life is not easy. Yet, God’s unconditional and unbreakable love for us is reflected in the love shared by married couples. This divine love sustains them, and their faithfulness serves as a testament to God’s enduring love.
If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, let us pray for couples and marriages. As a community, let us strive to support those facing difficulties and pray for the grace to respond with love and compassion.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Geraldine Nah)
Prayer: Dear Lord, I lift up couples and marriages around the world to You. In a broken world where the covenant of marriage is often under threat, I pray for those facing difficulties. Grant them the strength to turn to You in their struggles. May they find reconciliation, healing, and a renewed sense of love and commitment. Let Your light shine as a beacon of hope in their hearts, guiding them back to one another and to the love that You intended for their union. Surround them with Your grace, and help them to nurture their relationships with compassion and understanding.
Thanksgiving: I am grateful for Your unconditional and everlasting love. Thank You for Your teachings and the wisdom found in Your words. May Your love continue to sustain families and couples, especially during difficult times. Help us to embrace Your guidance and share it with one another, fostering unity and strength in our relationships. Let Your presence bring peace and comfort, reminding us of the power of love in every circumstance. In gratitude, I pray. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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