Breaking the Word

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.  (Mt 19:13-15)

The disciples, in this scene, represent the group which works against the children. There are people who do not like children and who consider children as burden and nuisance and keep them away from their busy schedule. Their running around, their noise, their freedom, their happiness at all times, their sense of wonder, etc make a busy person gets  angry. Busy person does not want to be disturbed. 

Jesus, in this scene, stand for those who welcome the children whatever they be. He is preaching an inclusive role which welcomes all. Not only he accepts the children as they are but he is also willing to receive them in whatever situation he himself might be. He does not restrict  or be controlled by the situation in which he is caught up.

And Jesus prefers this option. Option for the children (also). He also gives the reason for his option because the kingdom belongs to such. Children are open, happy, free, fell equal, and they marvel at creation etc. Such qualities are important in the kingdom and the kingdom cultivates such qualities. Kingdom is the place where one feels happy, free, equal, marvel and all that makes one positive. 

Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?" He said in reply, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate." They said to him, "Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss (her)?" He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery." (His) disciples said to him, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." He answered, "Not all can accept (this) word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." (Mt 19:3-12 )

In answering the question Jesus falls back to the scriptures. In scriptures Jesus found the will and the plan of God for the humanity. The creation stories say that God created male and female and made in his own image and likeness. Some would interpret this phrase ‘image and likeness’ as only human being of all creatures can relate among themselves and relate with God. Any relationship should be respected and lived for it is and what it is meant to be.

Relationship between a man and a woman in marriage is for unity and oneness. And this unity should be maintained even at the expense of the relationship of the parents and the others. (The relationship between parents and children are time bound and so on) The intention of God for the people in marriage is that they be united and united always without being separated by any human means.

Such a view of marriage does not exclude people living alone. The causes could be natural or man made. These are excusable causes. There is yet another reason for remaining single without marriage and that is for the sake of the kingdom. This is a gift from God. God gives it to few and whoever is offered with this gift ought to accept it. Kingdom takes precedence. Kingdom itself is a gift of God and so also those who work in it or for it.