+ Last week, in his DVD presentation, we heard Bishop Malone speak about a very important topic: Question One on the November ballot: concerning the redefinition of marriage in the State of Maine! In our first and third readings today, we have a direct reference to what God thinks about the whole issue. After creating the man and his helpmate, "bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh" – the one emanating from and complementing the other - he says that because they are so formed (by me), the man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh. Thus, from the Book of Genesis, we have God's very construction from nothing, and establishment of, the first human institution: marriage, the union of one man and one woman, and subsequent family life.
In the gospel passage, Jesus can only back up what his Father (and he himself said) in the first place, in the beginning, regarding marriage: marriage stands as is, as given, and no human must separate what God has joined together according to his own wishes, desires and formulation. God would not contradict himself. Divorce is therefore not to be allowed, but was tolerated by Moses only because of the hardness of hearts of the people. However, neither party could remarry without causing adultery to be involved in any new relationship, which is a grave sin in itself.
This is the long and the short of the Church's defense of God regarding Question One – and this is exactly what it is – a defense of God and his will! It ought not to be a defense of the Church or its status or its finances. And it is most definitely not to be an offense against those finding themselves with a same-sex sexual inclination. The Church would be making this same stand no matter who proposed it. In point of fact, the Diocese of Portland has had a long, nearly twenty year, history of working with the gay community to sponsor and defend civil rights legislation on the state government level. It fully supported a "gay rights bill" in the early 90's. The Church and the gay community stood together on this legislation. This bill was signed by the governor but overturned in referendum the following year despite the support of the diocese.
As Bishop Malone made clear in his address last week, the Church is not against the gay community in itself, but in this particular case, it must stand against it to keep the definition of marriage as between one and one woman and all the related terminology that goes with it – because it is GOD HIMSELF WHO FIRST SPOKE IT INTO EXISTENCE IN THE BEGINNING. This is one wheel that absolutely ought not to be reinvented
by anyone!
The emphasis of the gospel passage today is about STAYING MARRIED – after it re-presents its origin. The Church, not only of this diocese but all dioceses, cannot spend too much time and resources on catechizing and teaching its faithful members the
exact splendorous and magnificent reality of marriage as God made it – so that married couples and their children – who are all members of God's family – will get the most out of the wonderful relationship that they are already in. Children need a mother and a father in our own sacramental expression of married life.
This fact needs to be enormously emphasized - not to defeat a gay marriage bill – but because it is simply the nature of marriage and family life as God intended it!
Unfortunately, there is illogic and even purposeful misrepresentations in the media on both sides of this issue. May the Holy Spirit enlighten us all to form our consciences rightly so that we can see the light and grace of truth when it shines clearly through the hype of media presentations! The truth of the matter is certainly there to be seen – for those who have the eyes of faith. Without faith it is next to impossible to really understand what is truly going on here. Here is a hint from the second reading today from the Letter of Paul to the Hebrews: Jesus came to earth, to be our friend and to not be ashamed to call all of us "brothers" (and sisters). If we are thus related to him, then the real question here is this: How can we help our brothers (and sisters) who are crying out so desperately for true and legitimate recognition and a place with us that includes equivalent security, legitimate civil rights, love and a family-like living arrangement? How can we help them in a Christ-centered, Gospel-oriented way; not how can we judge them, hinder them, and cause them to lose heart and hope?
THEY ARE OUR BROTHER AND SISTERS, IF NOT IN CHRIST, THEN AT LEAST, OF THE HUMAN FAMILY!
It all comes down to love, doesn't it?
If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us!
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