But Jesus told them,
“Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.”

Mark 10:5

Mark 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

Reflection

Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees about divorce as a sort of ‘test.’ Interestingly, he answers that because of the hardness of the Israelites’ hearts was this allowed. In attempting to ‘trick’ Jesus, the Pharisees find themselves being taught a particular truth about marriage and humans, something they probably didn’t expect or like to hear.

While this Gospel speaks in particular about marriage/divorce, the concept of trying to ‘trick’ or ‘test’ Jesus at his own game can be applied to many situations in our lives. We are always testing the boundaries between what we know is good or not, sometimes ending up learning an important truth we didn’t want to learn, but most likely needed to. How many times have we negotiated or attempted to rationalize our poor decisions and behavior with Jesus? In testing him, we always come out the fool.

Because of the hardness of our hearts and unwillingness to choose the good at times (therefore sinning), we deny Jesus in little ways, hurting our relationship with him. It is a lifelong journey of learning to soften our hearts, letting Jesus heal and bring us back to him, for in the beginning such division was not so.

Ask Jesus to soften and open your heart, particularly in an area you struggle with, whether it be a certain sin or teaching of the Church. Rather than test Jesus and trust ourselves, let’s be like children and place our trust in him, for he will not disappoint.

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Saint of the Day

St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds of Jesus: 1715-1791

St. Mary Frances received the stigmata of Christ during her lifetime and was also a mystic.

St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, pray for us!