HOMILY FOR THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8/ Psalm 15/ James 1:17-18,21-22,27/ Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,21-23 THEME: Stop murmuring

The theme of marriage dominates this Sunday´s liturgy. On the one hand, there is Moses´ law which allows a man to dismiss his wife "on account of something ugly" (according to the interpretation, it could refer to infidelity between the spouses or even a poorly prepared meal Gospel). On the other hand, Jesus goes back to the original law introduced in nature, according to which "a man leaves his father and mother, and the two become one flesh: (First Reading and Gospel). In the Second Reading, Jesus, the bridegroom of the Church, gives him self to her to the point of dying to purify and sanctify her with his blood. This way, he becomes the true prototype of spousal love. Victory over loneliness is emphasised. It is very moving to see how God, according to the Book of Genesis, is concerned with man´s loneliness. We understand that God did not create us to live in solitude, but in a relationship with others, in the company of others. The company of pets is good, it should not be criticized; but it is not enough. Adam gives each animal a name; this is meant to show that he exercises his dominion and control over them. But it is not enough. It is relationship based on dominion. It is unequal and does not afford the human being complete fulfillment or joy. The only full, satisfying and joyful relationship is a relationship with someone who is equal to him, "flesh of his flesh." It is the relationship proper to human beings. The highest degree of such a relationship is marriage between man and wife, whereby "they become one flesh." However, marriage is not the only form of relationship or the only way to overcome loneliness. Friendship, companionship, the relationship between brothers in religion, etc. also overcome our loneliness. However, marriage and the family are natural institutions in which the victory over loneliness can achieve its highest level. Victory over division. Being alone is sad, it is painful. Being inwardly divided is ever more so. Sometimes there exists division between intelligence and will: should I get married or not? Or division of the heart: of all the boys and girls that I know, who can help me the most to overcome loneliness and make me happy? Whom can I best help to love and be happy? There is division of living experiences: so many experiences with this or that partner that leave the soul feeling empty, the heart half broken. They imply the bitterness of frustration, that make one feel unhappy about oneself, that leave one´s conscience feeling upset or seriously hurt. Marriage, lived out in all of its splendor and beauty, unites. It unites the forces of intelligence, which are steered towards married and family life. It unifies the forces of the will, which accept the wishes of the loved one and want what is good for him or her. It unites the heart, focusing it on the husband or wife and on the children. It unites life´s experiences, all of which are lived out in relation to the fundamental experience, which is that of marriage and of the family. It is true that in marriage too, one can be confronted with forces that seek to divide again, that seek to break unity. It is also true that there may be extremely difficult situations. But when married love is deep and authentic, it is able to overcome "division", and there is no shortage of resources to promote and defend unity. It is the love which our Lord Jesus Christ best personifies. All of Christ´s being is unified for the love of humanity, a love that does not spare him any sacrifices. No one loves more than he who gives his life for the ones he loves. Through the sacrament of matrimony, Christians share the love with which Christ the Bridegroom loved the Church, his Bride. This redeeming love of Christ, which is effectively present between Christian spouses, will help them overcome any temptation to be divided, and will promote unity as the greatest good for the spouses, the family and society. Marriage: a word with a single meaning. It is a principle of human and Christian wisdom to call each thing by its name. It is not a matter of judging anybody; on the contrary, as Christians we must be extremely understanding. What it is really all about is to speak correctly and clearly. If we start talking about "de facto marriage", of a "free union", of "gay marriage", of "the right to be different", and if we recognize all this from a juridical point of view, instead of lessening the confusion we will undoubtedly add to it. Marriage is a stable and free union between a man and a woman, juridically recognized by the State (civil marriage) and/or the Church (ecclesiastical marriage). Whatever does not comply with this definition, is not marriage. This is why it should be given a different name, always with respect and charity. Obviously, respect for those who are different is an obligation for all, but this respect in no way means connivance, and it does not imply equality of status. The reality of marriage is something very serious and sacred, and it cannot be played around with. This is often not taken into account. The result is a deterioration of the institution of marriage, which appears less and less similar to its (correct) definition. One wonders what is going on in the Parliaments of the various countries, which sometimes make extremely serious decisions touching the very future of the family and society. Do we realize that little by little, these changes can brainwash us? That political (Parliamentary) and cultural (mass media) imperialism have entered our homes, almost without our wanting it? Catechesis squared. A Christian conscience and our fidelity to our missionary vocation commit us to a catechesis squared (using the language of mathematics), to a level catechesis, and to an intense evangelizing action of marriage that reaches everyone, both Christians and non-Christians. We need to use the whole range of resources at our disposal. We must educate children to understand the nature of marriage and its Christian meaning. This must be even more true with adolescents and young adults. We have to make use of religion class in school, catechism in the parish, the Sunday homily, personal conversations in the family or in other milieux, newspapers and magazines, the radio, television and the Internet. We must duplicate our catechesis and evangelizing efforts, to counteract the attacks on marriage which greatly upset and disconcert the average man. It is usually said that the best defense is a good offense. And the offensive in the area of marriage is the truth of our faith. Let us tell us the truth without being afraid, sure that the victory is ours.