Jesus caught in debate about
marriage.
Genesis said – “let no one separate what
God has joined” but Moses saw certain circumstances where divorce should be
allowed.
Their understanding of divorce was
much different then ours.
-
A very male oriented society. A woman
could not seek a divorce
-
Some leaders – only when wife is
unfaithful
-
Others – any reason, including a
poorly cooked meal!
Jesus does not take the bait – he wants
to point them back to the ideals of marriage taught in Genesis.
God – “It is not good for the man to
be alone.” We are meant to be together. And so God gave us the gift of love.
Paul – faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love. Love is at the heart
of Jesus teachings.
But Dictionary – love is - “an
intense feeling of deep affection.” Really?
Now, we are limited by the English
word love – love you, love my dog, love work, love Alaska – all have different
meanings.
Ancient Greeks had 4 words for love:
Storge (stor-gay) – familial love – the bong we have
in our families, with persons and even with animals. A love that is constant, a
love that is often taken for granted. Took a ride with my brother – loves to
ride with open Jeep – just great to be with
him & talk.
Philia – love or friends or
relationships often based on compatibility and mutual interests. Often get
together with priests, people I went to school with, or friends I golf with.
Eros – a passionate love, which
includes wonder, appreciation and desire for beauty. Summer I explored a lake –
I saw no one else, just beauty of nature – mountains, beavers, egrets and
eagles.
Agape - this is the emptying out of self in the service of the other, with no
expectation of a reward. Jesus – “love
one another as I love you.” And how did
he love? Crucifix. Poured out. The meaning of true love “willing
the good of the other” STA.
God put man into deep sleep – took out
rib. Point is co-equality with Adam – bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. They
become ONE. Seems to me this ideal
marriage has all 4 at work.
Storge - Family love, especially for
children, Philia – friends, share many
things together, Eros – a passion for
one another, and Agape No longer about me – but about you and our
children.
