Human Life and Vocations… God’s design and love…
(August 16, 2024 Reflection – Rev. Fr. Rashmi M. Fernando, SJ)
The Gospel text of today evokes deep themes concerning the sacredness of human life
and vocation, especially within the context of marriage, against the backdrop of contemporary
challenges faced by the Church and Christian life and decisions. In this passage, Jesus is
confronted by the Pharisees who question Him about the lawfulness of divorce. Their query is
not just a legal question but a test, aimed at challenging Jesus’ interpretation of Mosaic Law. As
interesting as their question was Jesus’ answer that redirects the conversation to the fundamental
purpose of marriage, referencing the creation narrative: "From the beginning, the Creator made
them male and female" and "the two shall become one flesh." Here, Jesus’ teaching on marriage
as a divine institution underscores that marriage is not merely a human contract but a divine
covenant, a sacred vocation that reflects the unity and fidelity of God Himself. It is a
fundamental relationship rooted in the Creator’s original intent, transcending not only cultural
and historical allowances but also human weaknesses and rigidity.
Jesus’ assertion holds significant relevance in contemporary discussions, particularly in
the context of the Synodal journey of the Church amidst the broader debates on gender and
sexuality. For example, the Church teaches that gender is not merely a social construct but is
deeply rooted in the Creator’s design, as expressed in Jesus’ reference to "male and female."
Accordingly, gender is seen as a gift, integral to the human person, and essential to the sacrament
of marriage. However, today’s society often challenges it, advocating for a more fluid conception
of gender and sexuality. This has enabled a creative tension within the Church as it seeks to
remain faithful to its teachings while recognizing not only the lived human reality of the day but
also the need for a pastoral response to it. This involves recognizing the "hardness of hearts" that
Jesus refers to, acknowledging that the human condition is often marked by brokenness and the
need for mercy and understanding. Thus, the pastoral sensitivity and accompaniment emphasized
by the Synod calls for the transformative love and compassion of Christ upon those who
experience gender dysphoria or identity outside the binary conventions.
Moreover, Jesus’ continued remarks in the Gospel text extend to the sacredness of human
vocation beyond marriage to include all aspects of life where individuals are called to embody
God’s love and truth. This includes the vocation to celibate and religious lives for the sake of the
Kingdom. Jesus acknowledges that not everyone is called to marriage, and some are called to a
different kind of vocational commitment, one that renounces earthly marriage to dedicate oneself
wholly to God’s service. This teaching highlights the diversity of vocations within the Church,
all of which are sacred and worthy of respect.
In engaging with the complexities and challenges of modern life, therefore, the Church is
called to uphold the sacredness of human life and vocation, offering guidance and support to all
who seek to live them in the fullness of God’s truth. Accordingly, the ongoing Synod calls us, the
Christians, to live within us the creative tension (in and around us) of upholding the truth of the
Gospel and engaging in meaningful dialogue with those who struggle with or question its
teachings. Recognizing that we are called to navigate these challenges in a world where the
sacredness of human life and vocation is often obscured by secular ideologies, let us ask: how do
I value my own life and vocation at this very moment, particularly within the context of my
marriage? Do I treat it as a sacred calling that reflects God’s design and love? What are my
responses to those falling outside the conventional frameworks, loving and compassionate or
hard-hearted and insensitive?
Reference
Fernando, R. (2024, August 16). Human life and vocations… God’s design and love…
Daily reflection of Creighton University's online ministries. Online Ministries: Creighton
University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/081624.html
