Marriage breakdown and divorce (6)

As a Catholic I am asking myself a number of questions regarding the divorce issue in the light of the following Biblical verses: “For I hate divorce, says the Lord the God of Israel” (Mal. 2, 16); “Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery”; (Matthew 5, 32); “Whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matthew 19, 9). I would like to share these considerations with other believers.

Is God’s law meant to be a gift or a burden? Is it meant to oppress me by restricting my freedom or is it meant to act as a signpost leading to true happiness? Could it be that what God meant to be life-giving for me as a believer might at the same time be harmful to others? Can truth contradict itself?

Does Christ love Christians more than he loves others? Am I more understanding, loving and compassionate when faced with the suffering of others, than Christ himself? What sort of Christian am I if I disagree with Christ’s own teaching?

Each one of us will have to find his or her own answers to these questions, while keeping in mind that “for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”(2 Corinthians 5, 10).