Today in the Gospel of the liturgy (see Mk 10:2-16) Jesus speaks to us about conjugal love. As on other occasions, some Pharisees ask him a provocative question on a controversial topic: the husband’s repudiation of his wife. They want to drag him into a controversy, but he is not having it, instead, he takes the opportunity to draw their attention to a more important issue: the value of love between a man and a woman.
At the time of Jesus, the condition of women in marriage was at a great disadvantage compared to that of men: the husband could chase away, repudiate his wife, even for trivial reasons, and this was justified with legalistic interpretations of the Scriptures. For this reason the Lord leads his interlocutors back to the demands of love.
Remind them that woman and man were wanted by the Creator to be equal in dignity and complementary in diversity, to be for each other a help, a companion, but at the same time a stimulus and a challenge to grow (see Gen 2:20-23).
And for this to happen, he emphasizes the need for their mutual gift to be full, involving, without “half measures” – this is love –, that it be the beginning of a new life (see Mk 10:7; Gen 2:24), destined to last not “as long as I want”, but forever, welcoming each other and living together as “one flesh” (see Mk 10:8; Gen 2:24). Of course, this is not easy, it requires fidelity, even in times of difficulty, it requires respect, sincerity, simplicity (see Mk 10:15).
It requires being open to confrontation, sometimes to discussion, when necessary, but always ready for forgiveness and reconciliation. And remember: husband and wife, argue as much as you want, as long as you make peace before the day ends! Do you know why? Because the cold war of the next day is dangerous. “And tell me, Father, how do you make peace?” – “A caress is enough, like that”, but never end the day without making peace.
Let us not forget, then, that for spouses it is essential to be open to the gift of life, to the gift of children, who are the most beautiful fruit of love, the greatest blessing of God, a source of joy and hope for every home and all of society. Have children! Yesterday I had a great consolation. It was the day of the Gendarmerie, and a gendarme came with his eight children! It was beautiful to see him. Please, be open to life, what God sends.
Dear sisters, dear brothers, love is demanding, yes, but it is beautiful, and the more we let ourselves be involved in it, the more we discover, in it, true happiness. And now let each one ask himself in his heart: what is my love like? Is it faithful? Is it generous? Is it creative? What are our families like? Are they open to life, to the gift of children?
May the Virgin Mary help Christian spouses. We turn to her in spiritual union with the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Pompeii for the traditional Supplication to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.