Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
This Sunday’s scripture readings reveal the Lord’s plan of marriage. God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman. No other kind of marriage is possible because God is its author. No one can make up their own idea of marriage apart from God’s plan. Any other arrangement of marriage not consisting of one man and one woman offends God.
Marriage is until death do them part. Jesus said, “What God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mk 10:9). In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. Love never gives up. Love lasts forever. Love never fails.
Marriage is faithful. The sexual love of a man and a woman is sacred and exclusive to them. The two become one flesh. Sexual love is reserved for marriage with your spouse and no one else. He or she who divorces their spouse and marries another commits adultery (Mk 10:11-12).
Marriage is open to children. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them” (Mk 10:14). Contraception and sterilization prevent children and, therefore, offend God. Love is always open to life. Love is fruitful. Love does not count the cost.
God wrote His law of love in us by making us male and female. Jesus raised the love of a man and a woman to the level of a Sacrament in the church so that couples might be sanctified in their love. Faithful until death and fruitful, married couples fulfill God’s designs and raise up children for the kingdom of heaven.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 